Governor Hassan and HHS Commissioner Toumpas Launch Review of Licensing Requirements for Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Centers

Press Release

Governor Maggie Hassan and Health and Human Services Commissioner Nick Toumpas today launched an immediate review of licensing requirements for residential substance abuse treatment centers in light of the state's overwhelming demand for increased substance misuse treatment services and concerns raised by treatment centers seeking to expand.

Governor Hassan and Commissioner Toumpas asked the working group to report to them by September 30th.

Governor Hassan and Commissioner Toumpas are also tasking the working group to review and make recommendations on how -- where appropriate -- to speed approvals of new residential treatment facilities.

"In light of the increasing need for residential treatment facilities, and the concern raised by treatment centers, the state is taking immediate action to review our licensing requirements for treatment centers. We have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that residential treatment centers are safe for their residents and their staffs, but we must also make sure regulations do not erect unnecessary barriers to new treatment options," Governor Hassan said.

In the 30 years since the State's licensing rules for residential treatment facilities were initially established, they have undergone several updates and revisions as the treatment needs and safety standards at these facilities have evolved. The most recent changes to the state's licensing rules for residential treatment facilities were put in place in February 2011, after being approved by the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, and are based on recommendations from the Facilities Guidelines Institute.

"Since these regulations were most recently updated, the Department has worked closely with the impacted facilities to upgrade their facilities or find alternative locations in order to help them come into compliance with these basic life safety requirements. We remain committed to working with these facilities, State officials and advocates to find solutions to ensure that more treatment beds are available in facilities that are safe," said Commissioner Toumpas.

The working group will be led by Mary Castelli, HHS's director of operations support, who oversees the licensing unit, and will consult with providers, the advocacy community, the Governor's Senior Director of Substance Misuse and Behavioral Health and the State Fire Marshal. They will also review facility licensing requirements for other states.

In the interim, residential treatment facilities may also seek waivers to certain requirements from the licensing division, if the changes do not impact health and safety of residents.

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