The bill, Substitute House Bill No. 7023, mandates the Commissioner of Social Services to amend the Medicaid state plan to incorporate peer support services into care teams funded by the medical assistance program. This integration will allow for Medicaid reimbursement to peer support specialists, who are defined as individuals with personal experience in recovering from mental illness or substance use disorders and who are certified to provide peer recovery support. The bill emphasizes the importance of recovery-focused behavioral health services, enabling individuals to manage their recovery with the assistance of these specialists.

Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner to submit a report by August 1, 2026, to the Human Services and Public Health committees detailing the number of peer support specialists receiving Medicaid reimbursement, the number of Medicaid enrollees they serve, and any outcome data related to the treatment provided. The effective date for this legislation is set for July 1, 2025. The bill introduces new legal language regarding the definitions of peer support services and specialists while making no deletions from existing law.