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SB 1610

Local Government, General - As introduced, authorizes Putnam County and incorporated cities within the county to regulate sober living homes for recovery from alcohol, drug, and substance abuse to the extent such regulation complies with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51, Part 26.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Bailey

Putnam County and its cities gain authority to regulate sober living homes, with rules that must comply with FHA and ADA nondiscrimination and accessibility requirements.

Signed by Senate Speaker
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Bill Summary · SB 1610

Summary of SB 1610 (Session 114, Tennessee)

Overview

SB 1610 authorizes Putnam County and the incorporated municipalities within the county to regulate sober living homes that provide recovery services for individuals with alcohol, drug, and substance use disorders. The bill clarifies that such regulation must comply with federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) Title 7, Chapter 51, Part 26.

  • Status: Signed by Senate Speaker (as of 2026-04-30). Enrolled and ready for signatures prior to signing. Passed the Senate and House in March–April 2026, with final Senate actions in April 2026.
  • Sponsor: Co-sponsor Paul Bailey.

Purpose and Intent

  • To grant Putnam County and its incorporated cities the authority to regulate sober living homes (SLHs) within their jurisdictions.
  • To ensure that local regulation aligns with federal nondiscrimination and housing accessibility laws (FHA and ADA).
  • The measure aims to balance local concerns about community impact and safety with protections against discrimination and housing bias.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Local Regulatory Authority: Counties and municipalities in Putnam County may regulate sober living homes. This includes establishing local rules, zoning, licensing, operating criteria, or other regulatory measures as permitted by law.
  • Compliance with Federal Law: Any local regulation must comply with:
    • Fair Housing Act (FHA): Ensuring that rules do not discriminate on the basis of disability or other protected classes and do not impose barriers that would effectively deny housing opportunities to individuals in recovery.
    • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Ensuring accessibility and reasonable accommodations where applicable.
  • Scope of Regulation: The bill focuses specifically on sober living homes that provide recovery services for alcohol, drug, and substance use disorders, as distinct from other types of housing or treatment facilities.
  • Geographic Applicability: Applies to Putnam County and the incorporated cities located within the county.

Who Is Affected

  • Sober Living Homes: Operators and residents of SLHs in Putnam County and its municipalities will be subject to local regulatory provisions created under this authority.
  • Local Governments: Putnam County government and the municipalities within the county will establish and enforce regulations related to SLHs.
  • Potential Residents: Individuals in recovery seeking sober living arrangements may be affected by eligibility, zoning, licensing, or operation requirements.
  • Housing and Disability Stakeholders: Landlords, service providers, and advocacy groups engaged in housing, disability rights, and substance use recovery services may be impacted by regulatory changes.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduction and First Reading: Filed for introduction (January 13, 2026); passed first consideration (January 14, 2026).
  • Committee and Floor Action:
    • Reported out of committee and placed on relevant calendars in February–March 2026.
    • Passed the Senate on March 9, 2026 (Ayes 32, Nays 0).
    • Passed the House on April 21, 2026 (Ayes 80, Nays 1, PNV 5) after substitute for companion bill.
  • Enactment Milestones:
    • Enrolled and ready for signatures (April 27, 2026).
    • Signed by Senate Speaker (April 30, 2026), finalizing the bill’s path to become law, subject to any additional gubernatorial action (not shown in the provided history).

Practical Implications

  • Localities in Putnam County gain explicit authority to shape the operation of sober living homes, potentially including licensing standards, occupancy limits, location-based restrictions, and other governance mechanisms.
  • Regulatory actions must be designed to avoid FHA- and ADA-related inconsistencies, ensuring that individuals with disabilities or in recovery retain access to housing opportunities and that reasonable accommodations are considered when applicable.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary further for policymakers, advocacy groups, or the general public, or compare it to related Tennessee law on housing, zoning, or treatment facilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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