An Act to Clarify the Eligibility of Certified Recovery Residences
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1946
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: WARREN
Amends: 34-B MRSA §3012

Legislative Document
No. 1946
H.P. 1305
House of Representatives, May 7, 2025
An Act to Clarify the Eligibility of Certified Recovery Residences 
for Bridging Rental Assistance Program Housing Vouchers
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative WARREN of Scarborough.
Cosponsored by Representatives: CLUCHEY of Bowdoinham, DHALAC of South Portland, 
DODGE of Belfast, GOLEK of Harpswell, MALON of Biddeford, RANA of Bangor, YUSUF 
of Portland, Senator: BEEBE-CENTER of Knox.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  34-B MRSA §3012 is enacted to read:
§3012.  Certified recovery residences eligible for Bridging Rental Assistance Program
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings. 
A.  "Certified recovery residence" means a residence that is certified pursuant to the 
requirements established in Title 5, section 20005, subsection 22. 
B.  "Program" means the Bridging Rental Assistance Program established in section 
3011 and administered by the department. 
2.  Eligibility of certified recovery residences.  Notwithstanding any provision of law 
to the contrary, a certified recovery residence is eligible to accept program housing 
vouchers, as long as the certified recovery residence meets all applicable standards and 
conditions established by the department for the program. 
3.  Eligibility of residents.  An individual residing in a certified recovery residence is 
eligible to apply for a program housing voucher, as long as the individual meets all 
applicable standards and conditions established by the department for the program.  
Residency in a certified recovery residence may not be construed as a barrier to application 
or receipt of such a voucher. 
4.  Guidance.  The department shall provide guidance to certified recovery residences 
and housing assistance programs to ensure consistent application of this section, including 
public education efforts to inform residents of certified recovery residences and providers 
in certified recovery residences of their rights and responsibilities under this section. 
5.  Rulemaking.  The department shall adopt or amend rules as necessary to implement 
the provisions of this section.  Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine 
technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
SUMMARY
This bill provides that certified recovery residences that are certified pursuant to the 
requirements established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 20005, subsection 
are eligible to accept housing vouchers under the Bridging Rental Assistance Program 
as long as they meet all applicable program standards and conditions.  It also provides that 
individuals residing in certified recovery residences are eligible to apply for Bridging 
Rental Assistance Program housing vouchers as long as they meet all applicable program 
standards and conditions.