ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley announced the introduction of County sponsored legislation by California State Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton). SB 1334 will close critical regulatory loopholes in recovery residences to better safeguard vulnerable individuals while better serving the communities in which recovery residences are located.
“Improperly regulated recovery residences adversely impact neighborhoods, reduce access to real housing options for residents in need, and pose risks for those seeking care,” said Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who proposed the County-Sponsored Legislation. “We can no longer tolerate bad actors who seek to exploit vulnerable residents, patients, and the system of care that we continue to build to address the severe addiction and homelessness crisis in California.”
SB 1334 reflects Supervisor Foley’s latest action to address the proliferation of sober living homes in our communities. As Mayor of Costa Mesa, Supervisor Foley led the development and implementation of a comprehensive Sober Living Home Action Plan and model ordinance in order to close policy gaps and combat bad actors across Orange County. Following Costa Mesa, the County of Orange adopted a similar ordinance.
“SB 1334 is a crucial step forward in our efforts to safeguard vulnerable individuals while holding bad actors within the addiction treatment industry accountable. By better defining and regulating recovery residences, we’ll close the loopholes that have allowed for exploitation and abuse, ensuring that Californians receive the support and care they deserve,” said Senator Josh Newman.
SB 1334 will clarify legal definitions around recovery residences used for alcohol or drug abuse recovery, ensuring a safe living environment conducive to their recovery journey. SB 1334 will also establish transparent frameworks that empower local jurisdictions to enforce standards of care that promote the health, safety, and well-being of all Californians.
Under the provisions of SB 1334, a recovery residence would be clearly defined as primary housing for individuals seeking cooperative living arrangements that support personal recovery from substance use disorders. The bill would also authorize local jurisdictions to require a use permit or conditional use permit for any recovery residence that services seven or more residents. The bill also allows local jurisdictions to require recovery residences to be located at least 1,000 feet from another state-licensed alcohol or drug recovery facility or recovery residence.
SB 1334 marks an essential step forward as part of California’s overall commitment to protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation and harm within the addiction treatment industry. Instances of the exploitation and abuse of sober living residents underscore the urgency to close existing regulatory gaps and prevent further exploitation of those seeking assistance.
###
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee Vice Chair, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Environmental Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
