The "Substance Abuse Group Homes Recovery Amendments of 2003" (H.R. 2159) would require state and local officials to provide opportunities for the public to consult with officials on the establishment and operation of group homes, according to a report by the Legal Action Center.

Officials would need to notify community members that the community is a proposed site for a group home before the home is sited, and to give them an opportunity to consult on the proposal. The bill would also require that officials monitor compliance and provide the community, including those who live in the group home, opportunities to consult with officials on the effects of the home on the community.

The bill defines community as all areas that are 10 miles or less from the home and a community member as an individual who resides in the community, is a business owner in the community, or who has a child attending an elementary or secondary school in the community.

Representative Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ) introduced the bill. It was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.