The House passed the first substitute to House Bill 296 on Feb. 19, which delineates residential recovery services from residential vocational or life-skills programs and reduces regulatory burdens for certain privately funded recovery residences.

Representative Kyle, sponsor, told the chamber the bill was developed with the Department of Health and Human Services and with local providers after providers in his district described being regulated in ways that did not fit the services they provide. He said many of the programs operate on private donations and are not government-funded and that the substitute reduces regulation for those programs while preserving protections the legislature and DHHS deemed necessary.

There was no floor debate following the sponsor’s remarks, and Representative Kyle waived summation. Voting was opened and closed; the clerk reported 65 yeas and 0 nays. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.

Discussion vs. decision: the House accepted the bill after sponsor explanation; no amendments or further direction were recorded.

Votes at a glance: First substitute, House Bill 296 — Passes House, 65 yeas, 0 nays.