Scioto County Commissioner Scottie Powell says change could finally be coming to the Wild West of recovery housing—but only if Columbus lawmakers are willing to listen.
At Thursday’s meeting, Powell gave a passionate update on Ohio House Bill 58, which would create real oversight for recovery housing in the state. And the numbers driving the conversation are staggering.
“There are 132 recovery facilities in Scioto County alone,” Powell said. “That’s more than Franklin County, which has over a million people. We have just 72,000.”
A System with No Brakes
Right now, there are 236 registered recovery houses in the tri-county area of Scioto, Lawrence, and Adams Counties—and that doesn’t include the ones operating under the radar.
And unlike restaurants, nursing homes, or tattoo parlors, there’s no state-level requirement for inspections, certificates of need, or local oversight.
“If someone tells me they’re putting in a recovery house down the road, people ask, ‘Can I stop it?’” Powell said. “Right now, the answer is no. There’s no legal mechanism.”
Behind the Scenes in Columbus
Powell recently spent a day at the Statehouse with Representative Justin Pizzulli, the bill’s sponsor, and Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman, attending what are known as “interested party meetings.” In these meetings, supporters and opponents of the bill go through it line-by-line to try and find common ground.
“To be this intimately involved in the process has been enlightening,” Powell said. “Even people who oppose it in theory are realizing we need standards of care—and the ability to shut down those who won’t comply.”
One major issue? Right now, complaints go to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, which is already overloaded with major crimes like human trafficking.
Powell says the bill aims to bring some authority back to local communities, including the ADAMH boards (Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health) and even the county prosecutor, who could be given power to seek injunctions against dangerous or substandard homes.
“We can shut down a bad diner,” Powell said. “But not a bad rehab home? That’s insane.”
What House Bill 58 Would Do
Here’s a quick breakdown of what the bill would require:
- ✅ State approval before opening, expanding, or relocating recovery housing
- ✅ Annual inspections and complaint investigations by local mental health boards
- ✅ A Certificate of Need (CON) process to control how many homes can operate in each area
- ✅ A focus on fair distribution of homes based on population and need
The Pushback
Powell said one of the biggest hurdles is getting lawmakers in Columbus to realize this isn’t just a Southern Ohio issue.
“There’s a mindset that this is a Scioto County problem,” he said. “But Ohio Recovery Housing’s own data shows a quarter of counties have more beds than they need, while others have none. This is a statewide imbalance.”
What’s Next?
The bill is still in committee, but Powell is hopeful it will make it to the House floor this fall. Until then, conversations—and compromises—continue.
“We’re not against recovery,” Powell stressed. “We’re fighting for quality recovery. Because our communities deserve better. And so do the people trying to get clean.”
Stay tuned—this could be one of the most important pieces of legislation to hit Scioto County in years.
