Fla. Stat. § 397.487 — Florida Code / Title XXIX / Chapter 397 / Part II / Section 397.487
397.487 Voluntary certification of recovery residences.
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that a person suffering from addiction has a higher success rate of achieving long-lasting sobriety when given the opportunity to build a stronger foundation by living in a recovery residence while receiving treatment or after completing treatment. The Legislature further finds that this state and its subdivisions have a legitimate state interest in protecting these persons, who represent a vulnerable consumer population in need of adequate housing. It is the intent of the Legislature to protect persons who reside in a recovery residence.

(2) The department shall approve at least one credentialing entity by December 1, 2015, for the purpose of developing and administering a voluntary certification program for recovery residences. The approved credentialing entity shall: (a) Establish recovery residence certification requirements. (b) Establish procedures to: 1. Administer the application, certification, recertification, and disciplinary processes. 2. Monitor and inspect a recovery residence and its staff to ensure compliance with certification requirements. 3. Interview and evaluate residents, employees, and volunteer staff on their knowledge and application of certification requirements. (c) Provide training for owners, managers, and staff. (d) Develop a code of ethics. (e) Establish application, inspection, and annual certification renewal fees. The application fee may not exceed $100. Any onsite inspection fee shall reflect actual costs for inspections. The annual certification renewal fee may not exceed $100.

(3) A credentialing entity shall require the recovery residence to submit the following documents with the completed application and fee: (a) A policy and procedures manual containing: 1. Job descriptions for all staff positions. 2. Drug-testing procedures and requirements. 3. A prohibition on the premises against alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, and the use of prescribed medications by an individual other than the individual for whom the medication is prescribed. For the purposes of this subsection, “marijuana” includes marijuana that has been certified by a qualified physician for medical use in accordance with s. 381.986. 4. Policies to support a resident’s recovery efforts. 5. A good neighbor policy to address neighborhood concerns and complaints. (b) Rules for residents. (c) Copies of all forms provided to residents. (d) Intake procedures. (e) Sexual predator and sexual offender registry compliance policy. (f) Relapse policy. (g) Fee schedule. (h) Refund policy. (i) Eviction procedures and policy. (j) Code of ethics. (k) Proof of insurance. (l) Proof of background screening. (m) Proof of satisfactory fire, safety, and health inspections.

(4) A certified recovery residence must be actively managed by a certified recovery residence administrator. All applications for certification must include the name of the certified recovery residence administrator who will be actively managing the applicant recovery residence.

(5) Upon receiving a complete application, a credentialing entity shall conduct an onsite inspection of the recovery residence.

(6) All owners, directors, and chief financial officers of an applicant recovery residence are subject to level 2 background screening as provided under s. 408.809 and chapter 435. A recovery residence is ineligible for certification, and a credentialing entity shall deny a recovery residence’s application, if any owner, director, or chief financial officer has been found guilty of, or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any offense listed in s. 408.809(4) or s. 435.04(2) unless the department has issued an exemption under s. 435.07. Exemptions from disqualification applicable to service provider personnel pursuant to s. 397.4073 or s. 435.07 shall apply to this subsection. In accordance with s. 435.04, the department shall notify the credentialing agency of an owner’s, director’s, or chief financial officer’s eligibility based on the results of his or her background screening.

(7) A credentialing entity shall issue a certificate of compliance upon approval of the recovery residence’s application and inspection. The certification shall automatically terminate 1 year after issuance if not renewed.

(8) Onsite followup monitoring of a certified recovery residence may be conducted by the credentialing entity to determine continuing compliance with certification requirements. The credentialing entity shall inspect each certified recovery residence at least annually to ensure compliance. (a) A credentialing entity may suspend or revoke a certification if the recovery residence is not in compliance with any provision of this section or has failed to remedy any deficiency identified by the credentialing entity within the time period specified. (b) A certified recovery residence must notify the credentialing entity within 3 business days after the removal of the recovery residence’s certified recovery residence administrator due to termination, resignation, or any other reason. The certified recovery residence has 90 days to retain a certified recovery residence administrator. The credentialing entity must revoke the certificate of compliance of any certified recovery residence that fails to comply with this paragraph. (c) If a certified recovery residence’s administrator has been removed due to termination, resignation, or any other reason and had been previously approved to actively manage more than 50 residents pursuant to s. 397.4871(8)(b), the certified recovery residence has 90 days to retain another certified recovery residence administrator pursuant to s. 397.4871. The credentialing entity must revoke the certificate of compliance of any certified recovery residence that fails to comply with this paragraph. (d) If any owner, director, or chief financial officer of a certified recovery residence is arrested and awaiting disposition for or found guilty of, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, any offense listed in s. 435.04(2) while acting in that capacity, the certified recovery residence must immediately remove the person from that position and notify the credentialing entity within 3 business days after such removal. The credentialing entity must revoke the certificate of compliance of a certified recovery residence that fails to meet these requirements. (e) A credentialing entity shall revoke a certified recovery residence’s certificate of compliance if the certified recovery residence provides false or misleading information to the credentialing entity at any time. (f) Any decision by a department-recognized credentialing entity to deny, revoke, or suspend a certification, or otherwise impose sanctions on a certified recovery residence, is reviewable by the department. Upon receiving an adverse determination, the certified recovery residence may request an administrative hearing pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57(1) within 30 days after completing any appeals process offered by the credentialing entity or the department, as applicable.

(9) A person may not advertise to the public, in any way or by any medium whatsoever, any recovery residence as a “certified recovery residence” unless such recovery residence has first secured a certificate of compliance under this section. A person who violates this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(10)(a) A certified recovery residence may allow a minor child to visit a parent who is a resident of the recovery residence, provided that a minor child may not visit or remain in the recovery residence between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. unless: 1. A court makes a specific finding that such visitation is in the best interest of the minor child; or 2. The recovery residence is a specialized residence for pregnant women or parents whose children reside with them. Such recovery residences may allow children to visit or reside in the residence if the parent does not yet have a time-sharing plan pursuant to s. 61.13, provided that the parent files with the court for establishment of a plan within 14 days of moving into the residence. (b) A certified recovery residence may not allow a minor child to visit a parent who is a resident of the recovery residence at any time if any resident of the recovery residence is currently required to register as a sexual predator under s. 775.21 or as a sexual offender under s. 943.0435.

(11) Notwithstanding any landlord and tenant rights and obligations under chapter 83, a recovery residence that is certified under this section and has a discharge policy approved by a department-recognized credentialing entity may immediately discharge or transfer a resident in accordance with that policy under any of the following circumstances: (a) The discharge or transfer is necessary for the resident’s welfare. (b) The resident’s needs cannot be met at the recovery residence. (c) The health and safety of other residents or recovery residence employees is at risk or would be at risk if the resident continues to live at the recovery residence.

(12) Any person discharged from a recovery residence under subsection (11) who willfully refuses to depart after being warned by the owner or an authorized employee of the recovery residence commits the offense of trespass in a recovery residence, a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(13) Beginning January 1, 2025, a certified recovery residence may not deny an individual access to housing solely on the basis that he or she has been prescribed federally approved medication that assists with treatment for substance use disorders by a licensed physician, a physician’s assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse registered under s. 464.0123.

(14) A local ordinance or regulation may not further regulate the duration or frequency of a resident’s stay in a certified recovery residence located within a multifamily zoning district after June 30, 2024. This provision shall expire July 1, 2026.

(15)(a) By January 1, 2026, the governing body of each county or municipality shall adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for the review and approval of certified recovery residences within its jurisdiction. The ordinance must include a process for requesting reasonable accommodations from any local land use regulation that serves to prohibit the establishment of a certified recovery residence. (b) At a minimum, the ordinance must: 1. Be consistent with the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 42 U.S.C. ss. 3601 et seq., and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 12131 et seq. 2. Establish a written application process for requesting a reasonable accommodation for the establishment of a certified recovery residence, which application must be submitted to the appropriate local government office. 3. Require the local government to date stamp each application upon receipt. If additional information is required, the local government must notify the applicant in writing within the first 30 days after receipt of the application and allow the applicant at least 30 days to respond. 4. Require the local government to issue a final written determination on the application within 60 days after receipt of a completed application. The determination must: a. Approve the request in whole or in part, with or without conditions; or b. Deny the request, stating with specificity the objective, evidence-based reasons for denial and identifying any deficiencies or actions necessary for reconsideration. 5. Provide that if a final written determination is not issued within 60 days after receipt of a completed application, the request is deemed approved unless the parties agree in writing to a reasonable extension of time. 6. Require that the application include, at a minimum: a. The name and contact information of the applicant or the applicant’s authorized representative; b. The property address and parcel identification number; and c. A description of the accommodation requested and the specific regulation or policy from which relief is sought. (c) The ordinance may establish additional requirements for the review or approval of reasonable accommodation requests for establishing a certified recovery residence, provided such requirements are consistent with federal law and do not conflict with this subsection. (d) The ordinance may not require public hearings beyond the minimum required by law to grant the requested accommodation. (e) The ordinance may include provisions for the revocation of a granted accommodation of a certified recovery residence for cause, including, but not limited to, a violation of the conditions of approval or the lapse, revocation, or failure to maintain certification or licensure required under this section, if not reinstated within 180 days. (f) The ordinance and establishment of a reasonable accommodation process does not relieve the local government from its obligations under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 42 U.S.C. ss. 3601 et seq., and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 12131 et seq. The regulation for which the applicant is seeking a reasonable accommodation must not facially discriminate against or otherwise disparately impact the applicant.

(16) The application of this section does not supersede any current or future declaration or declaration of condominium adopted pursuant to chapter 718; any cooperative document adopted pursuant to chapter 719; or any declaration or declaration of covenant adopted pursuant to chapter 720.

History: s. 2, ch. 2015-100; s. 2, ch. 2017-80; s. 7, ch. 2019-159; s. 2, ch. 2020-38; s. 3, ch. 2021-128; s. 10, ch. 2021-156; s. 4, ch. 2023-298; s. 15, ch. 2024-71; s. 3, ch. 2024-176; s. 27, ch. 2025-156; s. 1, ch. 2025-182.