BCRHA Minimum Requirements

Minimum Standards For The Operation Of Homes 

In The Bucks County Recovery House Association

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The following represents the minimum standards required for membership into the Bucks County Recovery House Association. The below requirements shall be considered at the time of application to the BCRHA and for all active members. As these are only minimum standards, owners are encouraged to expand on these requirements as necessary to maintain a safe and sober living environment for residents and the community.

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1. All houses must hang the BCRHA Bill of Rights in a visible location common to all residents.

2. All houses must maintain a safe and sober living environment. 

3. All houses must be designated male or female. 

4. All houses must provide and maintain sanitary and functioning residential accommodations. Unkempt, vandalized, damaged, and dilapidated housing is not acceptable. All reasonable efforts should be made to mitigate concerns of residents and the community.

5. All houses are required to randomly test all residents at least one time per month and upon suspicion of drug or alcohol use.

6. All houses are required to keep and maintain accurate records for all drug tests performed.

7. If the person administering the drug test is currently on probation or parole, the test must be witnessed by another person not on supervision. 

8. If a resident on supervision provides a positive test for drugs or alcohol, the supervising officer shall be notified within 24 hours or the next business day. If the supervising officer is unknown, notice shall be provided to the Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole liaison to the BCRHA. As a general practice, the liaison should be copied on all positive drug test notifications for residents on supervision.

9. All houses must provide and maintain a written policy that outlines the procedure for when a resident tests positive for drugs or alcohol. Every reasonable effort must be exhausted in attempting to get residents who relapse engaged in treatment. If the resident refuses to undergo an assessment or engage in treatment, the resident’s emergency contact should be notified immediately. For further information on this requirement, please contact the Chair of the BCRHA or the Chair of the Residential Advocacy Committee. 

10. All houses must have a written policy that prohibits the use and possession of all amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, benzodiazepines, and all other unlawful substances. All houses must have a written policy for prescribed medications that is consistent with the aforesaid guidelines.

11. All houses must have a written policy for how prescribed medications are to be kept within the home. 

12. All houses must maintain recovery house insurance, professional insurance, homeowners insurance, and liability insurance.

13. All houses must have at least two (2) doses of an opioid receptor antagonist (naloxone) in an area common and known to all residents. 

14. All houses must provide food for at least four (4) meals per week. Residents should shop, cook, clean, and eat together.

15. All houses maintain a sign in/sign out log that is to be used by all residents.

16. All houses will assign chores to be completed by all residents.

17. All houses must provide information regarding availability of treatment in local areas.

18. All residents must engage in drug and alcohol treatment and/or 12 step meetings.

19. All residents must follow house rules.

20. All houses must be listed with the BCRHA regardless of whether the home is classified as a recovery house or sober house. All houses must also be reported with an accurate bed count.

21. Overdoses must be reported within 24 hours to the Chair of the Residential Advocacy Committee.

22. All discharges for residents on probation or parole shall be reported to the supervising officer within 24 hours or the next business day. If the supervising officer is unknown, notice shall be provided to the Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole liaison to the BCRHA. As a general practice, the liaison should be copied on all discharge notifications for residents on supervision.

23. Owners must immediately notify the Adult Probation and Parole Department of sanitary and/or health risks. For example, if a home has bed bugs, the Adult Probation and Parole Department shall be notified forthwith.

24. All houses must be supplied with drug tests that are able to test for fentanyl.

25. Owners and houses will not allow residents’ food stamps to be used for house food or back rent.

26. If an owner employs a resident, written records shall be kept to verify the amount of hours worked and money earned. This practice is especially important if the resident is working towards paying back-rent. Records shall be provided to the RHA Board, Residential Advocacy Committee, or the Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole Department when requested.