{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/37.2-431.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/37.2-431.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/37.2-431.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/37.2-431.1.html"}],"law_id":58118,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58118,"structure_id":13666,"section_number":"37.2-431.1","catch_line":"Recovery residences","history":"2019, c. 220; 2022, cc. 732, 755; 2024, c. 30; 2025, c. 608.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Credentialing entity” means a nonprofit organization that develops and administers professional certification programs according to standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences or standards endorsed by Oxford House, Inc.\n\t\t\t“Level of support” means the level of support and structure that a recovery residence provides to residents, as specified in the standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences.\n\t\t\t“Recovery residence” means a housing facility that provides alcohol-free and illicit-drug-free housing to individuals with substance abuse disorders and individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders that does not include clinical treatment services.B\n\nEvery recovery residence shall disclose to each prospective resident its credentialing entity. If the credentialing entity is the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, the recovery residence shall disclose the level of support provided by the recovery residence. If the credentialing entity is Oxford House, Inc., the recovery residence shall disclose that the recovery residence is self-governed and unstaffed.C\n\nNo person shall operate a recovery residence or advertise, represent, or otherwise imply to the public that a recovery residence or other housing facility is certified by the Department unless such recovery residence or other housing facility has been certified by the Department in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board. Such regulations (i) may require accreditation by or membership in a credentialing agency as a condition of certification; (ii) shall require the recovery residence, as a condition of certification, to comply with any minimum square footage requirements related to beds and sleeping rooms established by the credentialing entity or the square footage requirements set forth in § 36-105.4, whichever is greater; and (iii) shall require recovery residences to report to the Department any death or serious injury that occurs in the recovery residence. The Department may issue a conditional certification to any recovery residence that has indicated an intent to receive accreditation by or membership in a credentialing agency when such accreditation or membership is a condition of certification. The maximum term of a conditional certification shall be six months. At the discretion of the Department, a conditional certification may be renewed for a period not to exceed three months if the provider is not able to demonstrate compliance with all certification regulations but demonstrates progress toward compliance. However, in no case shall the total period of conditional certification exceed nine successive months. Conditional certifications may be revoked for serious health and safety concerns. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.D\n\nThe Department shall maintain a list of conditionally certified and a list of certified recovery residences on its website and shall provide (i) for each recovery residence included on such list, the credentialing entity; (ii) for recovery residences for which the National Alliance of Recovery Residences is the credentialing entity, the level of support provided by the recovery residence; and (iii) for recovery residences for which Oxford House, Inc., is the credentialing entity, a disclosure that the recovery residence is self-governed and unstaffed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":212945,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Credentialing entity” means a nonprofit organization that develops and administers professional certification programs according to standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences or standards endorsed by Oxford House, Inc.\n\t\t\t“Level of support” means the level of support and structure that a recovery residence provides to residents, as specified in the standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences.\n\t\t\t“Recovery residence” means a housing facility that provides alcohol-free and illicit-drug-free housing to individuals with substance abuse disorders and individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders that does not include clinical treatment services.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":212946,"text":"Every recovery residence shall disclose to each prospective resident its credentialing entity. If the credentialing entity is the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, the recovery residence shall disclose the level of support provided by the recovery residence. If the credentialing entity is Oxford House, Inc., the recovery residence shall disclose that the recovery residence is self-governed and unstaffed.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":212947,"text":"No person shall operate a recovery residence or advertise, represent, or otherwise imply to the public that a recovery residence or other housing facility is certified by the Department unless such recovery residence or other housing facility has been certified by the Department in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board. Such regulations (i) may require accreditation by or membership in a credentialing agency as a condition of certification; (ii) shall require the recovery residence, as a condition of certification, to comply with any minimum square footage requirements related to beds and sleeping rooms established by the credentialing entity or the square footage requirements set forth in § 36-105.4, whichever is greater; and (iii) shall require recovery residences to report to the Department any death or serious injury that occurs in the recovery residence. The Department may issue a conditional certification to any recovery residence that has indicated an intent to receive accreditation by or membership in a credentialing agency when such accreditation or membership is a condition of certification. The maximum term of a conditional certification shall be six months. At the discretion of the Department, a conditional certification may be renewed for a period not to exceed three months if the provider is not able to demonstrate compliance with all certification regulations but demonstrates progress toward compliance. However, in no case shall the total period of conditional certification exceed nine successive months. Conditional certifications may be revoked for serious health and safety concerns. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":212948,"text":"The Department shall maintain a list of conditionally certified and a list of certified recovery residences on its website and shall provide (i) for each recovery residence included on such list, the credentialing entity; (ii) for recovery residences for which the National Alliance of Recovery Residences is the credentialing entity, the level of support provided by the recovery residence; and (iii) for recovery residences for which Oxford House, Inc., is the credentialing entity, a disclosure that the recovery residence is self-governed and unstaffed.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13666,"edition_id":1,"name":"Miscellaneous and Penal Provisions","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13665,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","permalink":{"id":209987,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13666,"identifier":"4","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4","url":"\/37.2\/I\/4\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13665,"edition_id":1,"name":"Protection of Consumers","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12844,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","permalink":{"id":209859,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13665,"identifier":"4","token":"37.2\/I\/4","url":"\/37.2\/I\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12844,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12843,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":209675,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12844,"identifier":"I","token":"37.2\/I","url":"\/37.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12843,"edition_id":1,"name":"Behavioral Health and Developmental Services","identifier":"37.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":209673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12843,"identifier":"37.2","token":"37.2","url":"\/37.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66092,"structure_id":13666,"section_number":"37.2-426","catch_line":"Officers may be appointed conservators of the peace; regulation of traffic","url":"\/37.2-426\/","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-426","metadata":false},{"id":59073,"structure_id":13666,"section_number":"37.2-427","catch_line":"Mistreatment of individuals receiving services in hospital or training center","url":"\/37.2-427\/","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-427","metadata":false},{"id":81096,"structure_id":13666,"section_number":"37.2-428","catch_line":"Aiding and abetting in escapes","url":"\/37.2-428\/","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-428","metadata":false},{"id":74692,"structure_id":13666,"section_number":"37.2-429","catch_line":"Disorderly conduct on grounds and interference with officers","url":"\/37.2-429\/","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-429","metadata":false},{"id":58396,"structure_id":13666,"section_number":"37.2-430","catch_line":"Providing alcoholic beverages to individuals receiving services","url":"\/37.2-430\/","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-430","metadata":false},{"id":54644,"structure_id":13666,"section_number":"37.2-431","catch_line":"Contriving or conspiring to maliciously obtain admission of person","url":"\/37.2-431\/","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-431","metadata":false},{"id":58118,"structure_id":13666,"section_number":"37.2-431.1","catch_line":"Recovery residences","url":"\/37.2-431.1\/","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-431.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":54644,"structure_id":13666,"section_number":"37.2-431","catch_line":"Contriving or conspiring to maliciously obtain admission of person","url":"\/37.2-431\/","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-431","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/37.2-431.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2019. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 220<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2022, chapters 732<\/a> and 755<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 30<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 608<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":60393,"section_number":"36-105.4","catch_line":"Occupancy standards for residential dwelling units","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-105.4\/"}],"permalink":{"id":210013,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58118,"identifier":"37.2-431.1","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-431.1","url":"\/37.2-431.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/37.2-431.1\/","token":"37.2\/I\/4\/4\/37.2-431.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Recovery residences","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 37.2-431.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Credentialing entity<\/span>” means a nonprofit organization that develops and administers professional certification programs according to standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences<\/span> or standards endorsed by Oxford House, Inc.\n\t\t\t“Level of support<\/span>” means the level of support<\/span> and structure that a recovery residence<\/span> provides to residents, as specified in the standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Recovery residence<\/span>” means a housing facility<\/span> that provides alcohol-free and illicit-drug-free housing to individuals<\/span> with substance abuse<\/span> disorders and individuals<\/span> with co-occurring mental illnesses and substance abuse<\/span> disorders that does not include clinical treatment services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every recovery residence<\/span> shall disclose to each prospective resident its credentialing entity<\/span>. If the credentialing entity<\/span> is the National Alliance for Recovery Residences<\/span>, the recovery residence<\/span> shall disclose the level of support<\/span> provided by the recovery residence<\/span>. If the credentialing entity<\/span> is Oxford House, Inc., the recovery residence<\/span> shall disclose that the recovery residence<\/span> is self-governed and unstaffed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No person shall operate a recovery residence<\/span> or advertise, represent, or otherwise imply to the public that a recovery residence<\/span> or other housing facility<\/span> is certified by the Department<\/span> unless such recovery residence<\/span> or other housing facility<\/span> has been certified by the Department<\/span> in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board<\/span>. Such regulations (i) may require accreditation by or membership in a credentialing agency as a condition of certification; (ii) shall require the recovery residence<\/span>, as a condition of certification, to comply with any minimum square footage requirements related to beds and sleeping rooms established by the credentialing entity<\/span> or the square footage requirements set forth in § 36-105.4<\/a>, whichever is greater; and (iii) shall require recovery residences<\/span> to report to the Department<\/span> any death or serious injury that occurs in the recovery residence<\/span>. The Department<\/span> may issue<\/span> a conditional certification to any recovery residence<\/span> that has indicated an intent<\/span> to receive accreditation by or membership in a credentialing agency when such accreditation or membership is a condition of certification. The maximum term of a conditional certification shall be six months. At the discretion of the Department<\/span>, a conditional certification may be renewed for a period not to exceed three months if the provider is not able to demonstrate compliance with all certification regulations but demonstrates progress toward compliance. However, in no case shall the total period of conditional certification exceed nine successive months. Conditional certifications may be revoked for serious health and safety concerns. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall maintain a list of conditionally certified and a list of certified recovery residences<\/span> on its website and shall provide (i) for each recovery residence<\/span> included on such list, the credentialing entity<\/span>; (ii) for recovery residences<\/span> for which the National Alliance of Recovery Residences<\/span> is the credentialing entity<\/span>, the level of support<\/span> provided by the recovery residence<\/span>; and (iii) for recovery residences<\/span> for which Oxford House, Inc., is the credentialing entity<\/span>, a disclosure that the recovery residence<\/span> is self-governed and unstaffed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRECOVERY RESIDENCES (\u00a7 37.2-431.1)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Credentialing entity” means a nonprofit organization that\ndevelops and administers professional certification programs according to\nstandards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences or standards endorsed\nby Oxford House, Inc.\n\t\t\t“Level of support” means the level of support and structure that\na recovery residence provides to residents, as specified in the standards of the\nNational Alliance for Recovery Residences.\n\t\t\t“Recovery residence” means a housing facility that provides\nalcohol-free and illicit-drug-free housing to individuals with substance abuse\ndisorders and individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses and substance abuse\ndisorders that does not include clinical treatment services.\n\nB. Every recovery residence shall disclose to each prospective resident its\ncredentialing entity. If the credentialing entity is the National Alliance for\nRecovery Residences, the recovery residence shall disclose the level of support\nprovided by the recovery residence. If the credentialing entity is Oxford House,\nInc., the recovery residence shall disclose that the recovery residence is\nself-governed and unstaffed.\n\nC. No person shall operate a recovery residence or advertise, represent, or\notherwise imply to the public that a recovery residence or other housing\nfacility is certified by the Department unless such recovery residence or other\nhousing facility has been certified by the Department in accordance with\nregulations adopted by the Board. Such regulations (i) may require accreditation\nby or membership in a credentialing agency as a condition of certification; (ii)\nshall require the recovery residence, as a condition of certification, to comply\nwith any minimum square footage requirements related to beds and sleeping rooms\nestablished by the credentialing entity or the square footage requirements set\nforth in § 36-105.4, whichever is greater; and (iii) shall require recovery\nresidences to report to the Department any death or serious injury that occurs\nin the recovery residence. The Department may issue a conditional certification\nto any recovery residence that has indicated an intent to receive accreditation\nby or membership in a credentialing agency when such accreditation or membership\nis a condition of certification. The maximum term of a conditional certification\nshall be six months. At the discretion of the Department, a conditional\ncertification may be renewed for a period not to exceed three months if the\nprovider is not able to demonstrate compliance with all certification\nregulations but demonstrates progress toward compliance. However, in no case\nshall the total period of conditional certification exceed nine successive\nmonths. Conditional certifications may be revoked for serious health and safety\nconcerns. Violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nD. The Department shall maintain a list of conditionally certified and a list of\ncertified recovery residences on its website and shall provide (i) for each\nrecovery residence included on such list, the credentialing entity; (ii) for\nrecovery residences for which the National Alliance of Recovery Residences is\nthe credentialing entity, the level of support provided by the recovery\nresidence; and (iii) for recovery residences for which Oxford House, Inc., is\nthe credentialing entity, a disclosure that the recovery residence is\nself-governed and unstaffed.\n\nHISTORY: 2019, c. 220; 2022, cc. 732, 755; 2024, c. 30; 2025, c. 608.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}