Gov. Mike DeWine has issued an emergency rule that places certification and increased regulation of recovery houses under the authority of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, state officials announced Monday. The move is intended to impose higher standards for living conditions and safety protocols for residents and surrounding communities while giving the state clearer tools to address illegal operations.
State steps in amid concerns over unregulated homes
The emergency rule follows action the department has already taken against recovery houses operating without proper oversight. Under the new directive, the department will now manage a formal certification process for recovery residences — a change state lawmakers and local officials had sought amid reports of inconsistent standards and community disruptions.
State Rep. Justin Pizzulli, R-Scioto County, who introduced similar legislation in the recent legislative session, said the order fills gaps regulators and communities have experienced.
“We need standards, we need inspections and accountability,” Pizzulli said. “We need to know where these homes are operating. We need communication between the state … our courts, our law enforcement and our local communities. And we need consequences, especially for people that abuse this system.”
What the emergency rule does
Officials say the new certification process will include increased standards related to:
- Living conditions — minimum expectations for habitability and maintenance;
- Safety protocols — measures to protect residents and neighbors, including fire and building safety requirements;
- Accountability — clearer enforcement authority for the department to act against uncertified or noncompliant operations.
DeWine described the order as a tool to remove problematic operators from the system while giving legitimate recovery residences an official credential that communicates credibility to residents, families and communities.
State enforcement and community impact
The Department of Behavioral Health has already pursued legal action against some unregulated houses, and the emergency rule expands the agency’s formal authority to regulate more broadly. Supporters say the change should improve safety and coordination, including communication among state agencies, local courts and law enforcement.
Advocates for stronger oversight argue that certification can protect people seeking recovery from predatory or unsafe living situations, while also addressing neighborhood concerns about concentrations of unmanaged group homes.
Where this leaves operators and residents
Under the new process, operators of recovery houses will be required to seek certification from the Department of Behavioral Health. Officials have said certified houses will gain “credibility,” implying benefits for operators who comply with the new standards, though the department has not released a detailed timeline or application guidance in the announcement.
State lawmakers who previously worked on related bills welcomed the executive action as a stopgap that provides immediate regulatory authority pending any future legislative measures.
Quick reference: new oversight at a glance
| Element | What it means |
|---|---|
| Responsible agency | Ohio Department of Behavioral Health |
| Primary actions | Certification, standard-setting, enforcement against illegal operations |
| Focus areas | Living conditions, safety protocols, accountability |
Officials have not published the full text of the emergency rule in the briefing released with this announcement. The department has previously pursued enforcement actions against unlicensed or unlawful recovery houses, and the emergency order is intended to broaden the legal tools available to regulators.
For residents and families, the immediate practical effect will depend on how quickly the department rolls out the certification process and what specific standards and inspection procedures are adopted. For local communities, the change aims to improve information-sharing so that courts, law enforcement and health officials can better coordinate responses when problems arise.
The action represents a significant executive step to regulate a sector that has drawn scrutiny in recent years. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate had considered related legislation during the last session; supporters say the emergency rule delivers many of the protections advocates sought while giving the department quicker authority to act.
Further details, including how and when operators should apply for certification and any penalties for noncompliance, are expected from the Department of Behavioral Health as it implements the new rule.
Damon Carver is the state correspondent for WE NEWS and covers Ohio government and public policy from Columbus.
