1. (a) “Alcohol and drug free environment” means an environment in which the use of alcohol and illicit drugs are prohibited and includes alcohol and drug free housing.
2. (b) “Business day” means a day in which the department conducts normal business operations. This term excludes weekends and holidays.
3. (c) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of the New Hampshire department of health and human service or their designee.

4. (d) “Certifying body” means an agency designated by the commissioner to provide voluntary certification for recovery houses based on nationally-recognized standards including:

   1. (1) Upholding industry best practices and supporting a safe, healthy, and effective recovery environment; i
   2. (2) Evaluating the recovery residence's ability to assist in achieving long-term recovery goals; i
   3. (3) Protecting residents against unreasonable and unfair practices in setting and collecting fee payments; and
   4. (4) Verifying good standing with regard to local, state, and federal laws and any regulations and ordinances including, but not limited to, building, maximum occupancy, and fire safety.
5. (e) “Complaint process” means the procedure to accept and respond to concerns about a specific recovery house reported by residents or other individuals to the department.
6. (f) “Department” means the New Hampshire department of health and human services.
7. (g) “New Hampshire recovery house registry” means the list of certified recovery houses voluntarily registering with the department, and provided by the department pursuant to this part.
8. (h) “Operator” means the lawful owner of a recovery house or a person employed and designated by the owner of the recovery house to have primary responsibility for the daily operation of the recovery house including maintaining standards and conditions supportive of substance use disorder recovery.
9. (i) “Recovery house” means a residence, commonly known as a sober home, that provides or advertises as providing an alcohol and drug free environment for persons recovering from substance use disorders. This term does not include a halfway house, treatment unit, or detoxification facility.

Source. #12821, INTERIM, eff 7-1-19, EXPIRED: 12-30-19 New. #12969, eff 1-8-20; ss by #13150, INTERIM, eff 12-30-20, EXPIRED 6-28-21 New. #13223, eff 6-26-21; amd by #14110, EMERGENCY RULE, eff 11-18-24, (para (d)), EXPIRES: 5-17-25; ss by #14252, eff 5-22-25, EXPIRES: 5-22-35