A bill that seeks to address the issue of unlicensed sober living facilities has received unanimous approval from the Arizona State Senate. However, it may encounter obstacles as it progresses through the legislative process.
State officials in Arizona have reported a growing trend of fraudulent practices in the form of supposed sober living facilities that fail to provide any genuine assistance. These deceptive establishments specifically target Native Americans in the state, resulting in instances where individuals lose contact with their loved ones once they enter these facilities, as highlighted by lawmakers.
According to Senator Theresa Hatathlie, a Democrat from Tuba City, Senate Bill 1655 aims to hold those operating unlicensed homes accountable. This comprehensive bill also seeks to enhance communication among various agencies, including the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the Attorney General’s office, the Arizona Department of Health Services, and the Arizona Corporation Commission. The objective is to prevent individuals from repeatedly getting away with this scam, as outlined in the Senate engrossed version of the bill.
“We need to take a stand and refuse to tolerate any more criminals,” Hatathlie passionately declared during her speech on the Senate floor last Thursday.
The bill proposes a significant change by introducing a class 6 felony for operating without a license as a “residential care institution.” Additionally, it suggests imposing a daily civil penalty ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for such violations.
“We must put an end to this type of crime,” she continued passionately.
According to Fox 10 Phoenix, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System reportedly utilized $2 billion in taxpayer funds for these homes.
The House Committee on Health and Human Services is set to discuss the bill on Thursday. Anticipating opposition, Hathalie and Senate President Warren Petersen have expressed their intention to testify in support of the bill.
On Thursday, Petersen took to Twitter to express his concerns about the Governor’s alleged collaboration with grifters to undermine Senator Hatathlie’s SB 1655. This bill, aimed at curbing fraud in Arizona, had already received unanimous support in the Senate. Petersen urged the Governor to prioritize the interests of taxpayers and sign the bill into law.
We contacted the governor’s office for a comment, but unfortunately, we did not receive a response in time for publication.
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