House passes bill to regulate sober homes

PHOENIX (AP) - A House committee has passed a bill allowing cities, towns and counties to regulate sober living homes.
    
The measure by Rep. Noel Campbell of Prescott allows local authorities to register sober living homes, adopt standards and set management qualifications.
    
Prescott residents gave emotional testimony Monday complaining about increased crime rates, discarded cigarette butts and dropping property values as sober living homes move into their communities. Opponents say the measure might violate federal standards that consider recovering drug addicts a protected class.
    
The Committee on County and Municipal Affairs voted to pass House Bill 2107 on a 5 to 3 vote.
    
Campbell ran a similar bill to regulate sober living homes through the Department of Health Services last session. It failed to pass in the Senate.