This bill establishes certification standards for peer support specialists in Kansas, under the authority of the secretary for aging and disability services. It mandates that the secretary provide training and expand certification opportunities, while also setting specific limits on the number of billable hours and training sessions for different levels of peer support specialists. Additionally, the bill requires background checks for certification applicants, including criminal history checks and investigations into reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The secretary is also tasked with pursuing Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth services provided by certified peer support specialists.

The bill amends existing law regarding criminal history record checks, specifically allowing the Kansas bureau of investigation to release relevant information for applicants seeking peer support specialist certification. It also includes provisions for the confidentiality of the criminal history information obtained and outlines the responsibilities of the secretary for aging and disability services in implementing these new regulations. The existing section of K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 22-4715 is repealed, and the act will take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 40-2, 22-4715, 45-229