The bill amends several sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes concerning the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA), which regulates addiction counseling and peer support services. Key changes include expanding the board's membership from eight to eleven members, with specific qualifications for representation from educational institutions and a trained peer support specialist. New definitions are introduced, such as "behavioral health condition" and "peer support specialist," clarifying roles within the addiction treatment framework. The bill also establishes credentialing and supervision requirements for addiction counselors and peer support specialists, emphasizing oversight by licensed mental health professionals and setting criteria for board members, including the necessity of being currently credentialed and free of disciplinary history.

Additionally, the bill modifies laws regarding the certification of compulsive gambling counselors, requiring candidates to be licensed addiction counselors or mental health professionals, and it introduces a certification framework for peer support specialists, detailing their scope of practice and renewal requirements. The legislation grants the board disciplinary powers to deny or revoke credentials for violations and establishes a fee structure for applications and renewals. It also specifies that the provisions apply exclusively to certified addiction counselors and peer support specialists employed by licensed behavioral health service providers, while allowing individuals with certain criminal convictions to be eligible for these roles under specific conditions. The ADRA is designated as the governing body for peer support specialist certification, ensuring alignment with national standards and facilitating the transition from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Statutes affected:
SB426 Original: 37:2(A), 37:2(B), 37:2(B)(5), 37:1(A)(2), 37:2(A)(2), 37:3(B)(4), 37:6(E)(1), 37:3(A)(11), 37:6(A), 40:3(E)
SB426 Engrossed: 37:2(A), 37:2(B), 37:2(B)(5), 37:1(A)(2), 37:2(A)(2), 37:3(B)(4), 37:6(E)(1), 37:3(A)(11), 37:6(A), 40:3(E)
SB426 Reengrossed: 40:3(E)
SB426 Enrolled: 37:2(A), 37:2(B), 37:2(B)(5), 37:1(A)(2), 37:2(A)(2), 37:3(B)(4), 37:6(E)(1), 37:3(A), 37:3(A)(11), 37:6(A), 40:3(E)
SB426 Act : 37:2(A), 37:2(B), 37:2(B)(5), 37:1(A)(2), 37:2(A)(2), 37:3(B)(4), 37:6(E)(1), 37:3(A), 37:3(A)(11), 37:6(A), 40:3(E)