Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
HB0783 sponsored by Rep. Greg Martin (R-Hamilton County-District 26), specifies that local governments would have the authority to prescribe a distance requirement for how far away a sober living home must be from primary schools, preschools, and daycares.
This means these local bodies could adopt ordinances requiring a sober living home to be located at least 1,000 feet away from these facilities and the children who attend them.
Local governments would also be authorized to regulate the location and operation of sober living homes and could require that prospective residents receive a referral from the court system or a licensed professional to be placed in a sober living home.
During the subcommittee meeting, Rep. Martin introduced the bill which he stated would, “hold sober living home operators accountable.”
Testimony was heard from The Launch Pad Chattanooga, an organization running several sober living homes in the Chattanooga area for women, who opposed the bill as the speaker believes it highlights the struggles of the occupants and increases their shame instead of aiding in their healing.
Another testimony by a representative from Oxford House, Inc., a large sober living housing organization, believes the bill’s provision allowing for the requirement of a referral would restrict individuals from accessing care as many residents do not have a physician or cannot afford one and believes it could hinder those seeking care voluntarily instead of by referral or order.
Rep. Martin reminded the committee that this law would apply to new recovery or sober living homes and that the local governments cannot set any parameters which would violate the Fair Housing Act or Americans with Disabilities Act.
More about this legislation and the situation that prompted its filing HERE.
The vote was 5-2 in favor of passage. Members voting “Yes” were Reps. Butler, Dixie (Democrat), Littleton, Moon, and Wright. The “No” Votes were by Reps. Crawford (Republican) and Mitchell (Democrat).
The bill has now been scheduled for the House State & Local Government Committee on March 26th, 2025.
Contact information for the members of the committee is provided below:
HB0783 Summary: As introduced, authorizes local governments to regulate sober living homes for recovery from alcohol, drug, and substance abuse to the extent such regulation complies with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, including prescribing a distance requirement for such homes from primary schools, preschools, and daycares, regulating the location and operation of such homes, and requiring that prospective residents receive a clinical referral for placement in a sober living home.
Rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jeff.burkhart@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov, rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov, rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov, rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tim.rudd@capitol.tn.gov, rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov, rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
3 Responses
Thanx! Emailed them, ‘YES!!”, posted, “Tennesseans! Y’all help!!” to X.
Why’d Crawford vote against?
Correction………..this is the third time you copy/clip the same post……………..
Damn those children from primary schools, preschools, and daycares, they will have a terrible influence on recovering people in a sober living home located 1,000 feet away from these facilities they should be 1001 feet away. You have no idea what those kids will do they are sneaky and need more distance from these sober living homes…………..