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HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES 14/01RESOLUTION NO. 14 -1 A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT AND GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT TO SUPPORT LEGISLATIVE CHANGES PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF RECOVERY RESIDENCES OR "SOBER HOUSES" IN THE FORM OF STATEWIDE LICENSING AND REGISTRATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, recovery residences, also known as "sober houses ", are not required to be licensed under state law; and WHEREAS, sober houses impact residential neighborhoods and when unlicensed and unregulated, create safety and welfare hazards for both their residents and surrounding neighbors; and WHEREAS, the Town Commission of the Town of Gulf Stream urges the Florida Legislature to adopt and Governor Rick Scott to support regulations and licensing requirements for sober houses in order to: 1. Create a consistent standard of operation to provide uniform and safe operation throughout the state; 2. Provide for accountability for the owners /operators of these homes; 3. Help end abuses that area occurring in some homes; 4. Require background checks for owners /operators of these homes similar to those required for owners /operators of substance abuse treatment providers, assisted living facilities, adult family -care homes and adult day care centers, and community residential homes; and 5. Ensure that certain life safety standards similar to those already in place for the homes and facilities referenced above are followed in order to keep residents safe; and WHEREAS, the community housing component of licensed day or night treatment facilities is already licensed pursuant to Chapter 397, Florida Statutes and such housing performs the same function as a sober house; and WHEREAS, uniform regulation of sober houses will provide safety to a disadvantaged group and protect both the residents and their surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, the Town C omission determines that the regulation of sober houses would be in the best interests of and protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents, both temporary and permanent. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, FLORIDA, that: Section 1. The foregoing recitals are hereby ratified and incorporated herein. Section 2. The Town Commission of the Town of Gulf Stream urges the Florida Legislature and the Governor to support the regulation and licensing of recovery residences (sober houses) located throughout the State of Florida. Section 3. The Town Commission directs that a copy of this Resolution shall be provided to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, the Florida League of Cities, and the Palm Beach County League of Cities. Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. Approved, passed and adopted by the Town Commission of the Town of Gulf Stream, Palm Beach County, Florida, in a regular session assembled this 14th day of March 2014. ATTEST Town Clerk P: \DOCS \t 3147 \00001\DOC \1 DL4258.DOC Page 2 of 2 Resolution No. 14 -1