Tennessee § 6-54-145 - Stopping Addiction and Fostering Excellence (SAFE) Act.

Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 6-54-145 — Stopping Addiction and Fostering Excellence (SAFE) Act., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 6-54-145. Stopping Addiction and Fostering Excellence (SAFE) Act.

As used in this section: “Municipality” means an incorporated city or town, or a county with a metropolitan form of government; and “Sober living home” means any home classified as a “single family residence” under § 13-24-102 that provides alcohol-free or drug-free housing, promotes independent living, life skill development, and reintegration, and provides structured activities that are directed primarily toward a group of unrelated individuals who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction and who may be receiving outpatient healthcare services for substance abuse or addiction treatment while living in the home; “Sober living home” does not mean: A home that is chartered by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that: Serves as an umbrella organization and organizes homes into chapters; and Is governed by a council and board of directors that maintain the sole right to charter, and revoke the charter of, a home; A home that is an affiliate of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in this state that: Pre-screens new affiliates; Requires affiliates to adhere to a code of ethics; and Requires affiliates to make an annual contribution based on the number of recovery residences; or A home or facility that is licensed or funded by the department of mental health and substance abuse services. A municipality may adopt an ordinance requiring each sober living home to display in a prominent place within the sober living home, a sign at least eleven inches (11") in height and seventeen inches (17") in width stating: NOTICE: THIS IS A SOBER LIVING HOME THAT PROVIDES HOUSING TO MEN AND/OR WOMEN WHO DO NOT REQUIRE MORE STRUCTURED TREATMENT ENVIRONMENTS. THIS HOME PROMOTES INDEPENDENT LIVING, LIFE SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND REINTEGRATION. THIS HOME IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST MEN AND/OR WOMEN TO RECOVER FROM DRUG OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION. THIS HOME IS NOT LICENSED OR FUNDED BY THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES AS IT IS PRIVATELY FUNDED AND DOES NOT PROVIDE TREATMENT SERVICES. IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF TREATMENT SERVICES, PLEASE CALL THE TENNESSEE REDLINE AT 1-800-889-9789. IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING ADDITIONAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES AND RESOURCES, INCLUDING SOBER LIVING OPTIONS, PLEASE VISIT THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES WEBSITE AT https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health.html. THIS IS A NOTICE POSTED PURSUANT TO [MUNICIPALITY CODE REFERENCE]. A municipality shall display in the city hall or other building which houses the municipality's seat of local government, a sign at least eleven inches (11") in height and seventeen inches (17") in width stating: PURSUANT TO TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED § 33-2-405 , IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, OR CORPORATION TO OWN OR OPERATE A SERVICE OR FACILITY THAT PROVIDES ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND/OR TREATMENT WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE 33 OF THE TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED WITHOUT HAVING OBTAINED A LICENSE. A VIOLATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR. EACH DAY OF OPERATION WITHOUT A LICENSE CONSTITUTES A SEPARATE OFFENSE. REPORT ANY SUSPECTED UNLICENSED ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND/OR TREATMENT SERVICES TO THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES' OFFICE OF LICENSURE BY DIALING [WEST TENNESSEE LICENSURE OFFICE PHONE NUMBER; MIDDLE TENNESSEE LICENSURE OFFICE PHONE NUMBER; OR EAST TENNESSEE LICENSURE OFFICE PHONE NUMBER, AS APPLICABLE TO THE LOCATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY]. If a municipality maintains a website, the notice required under subsection (c) must be placed prominently on the municipality's website. A municipality may adopt an ordinance encouraging sober living homes to: Become chartered by an organization described under (a)(2)(B)(i); or Comply with the requirements for recovery residences prescribed by an organization described under subdivision (a)(2)(B)(ii). Any ordinance adopted under this section must comply with the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq., and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. Acts 2018, ch. 879, § 2. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2018, ch. 879, § 1 provided that the act, which enacted this section, shall be known and may be cited as the “Stopping Addiction and Fostering Excellence (SAFE) Act.” Effective Dates. Acts 2018, ch. 879, § 3. July 1, 2018.

Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 6-54-145

What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 6-54-145 cover?

Section 6-54-145 ("Stopping Addiction and Fostering Excellence (SAFE) Act.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Tennessee § 6-54-145?

A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 6-54-145" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Tennessee law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.

How does Tennessee § 6-54-145 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.