Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee to Hold Hearing to Examine Sober Living Homes

Washington, D.C. -- On Friday, September 28, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining Sober Living Homes.” The hearing will examine the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act to determine whether recovering individuals are receiving the help and protection they need, and whether state and local governments require additional flexibility under federal law to better safeguard their communities. Witnesses for Friday’s hearing are: Panel I:

• The Honorable Judy Chu, 27th District of California, U.S. House of Representatives
• The Honorable Dana Rohrabacher, 48th District of California, U.S. House of Representatives
• The Honorable Steve Knight, 25th District of California, U.S. House of Representatives

Panel II:

• Erik Peterson, Mayor Pro Tempore, Huntington Beach, CA
• Todd Leishman, Attorney, Best, Best & Krieger
• Sara Pratt, Counsel, Relman, Dane & Colfax, PLLC
• Dave Aronberg, State Attorney, 15th Judicial Circuit, FL

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement in advance of the hearing. Chairman Goodlatte: “Sober living homes are group homes located in residential neighborhoods where individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction can live during outpatient treatment. While sober living homes may help individuals on the road to recovery, there is a rising number of bad actors who are exploiting these people for money rather than helping them get clean. “These bad actors are creating unhealthy environments for their residents, and the neighborhoods in which these sober living homes are located are experiencing increased noise, traffic, and incidents of public alcohol and drug use. “Unfortunately, state and local governments have been unable to address these local problems because of obstacles in federal laws. Friday’s hearing will examine these federal laws to determine whether recovering individuals are receiving the help and protection they need and whether state and local governments require additional flexibility under federal law to better safeguard their communities.” This hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at judiciary.house.gov. Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214.

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