BILL NUMBER: S9787
SPONSOR: BROUK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to providing defi-
nitions of mental health and family and youth peer and requires the
office of mental health to establish peer service qualification programs
 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
This bill would amend Section 1.03 of the mental Hygiene Law (MHL) to
add new definitions of Adult Mental Health Peer, Family Mental Health
Peer and Youth Mental Health Peer, as well as definitions of Certified
Mental Health Peer, Credentialed Family Peer and Credentialed Youth
Peer. The legislation would also amend Section 7.07 of the MHL to allow
creclentialingkertification programs to be approved by the Commissioner.
Summary of provisions: Section one would add definitions of Mental
Health Peer, Family Peer Advocate, Youth Peer Advocate, New York State
Certified Peer Specialist, Credentialed Family Peer Advocate and Creden-
tialed Youth Peer Advocate to MHL Section 1.03.
Section two would add a section to MHL 7.07 to allow the Commissioner to
approve a peer credentialingkertification programs.
Section three provides for an effective date of 180 days after becoming
a law
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Mental health peers have been working in the New York State mental
health system for decades and play an essential role in the support and
care of individuals with serious mental illness. Peers have proven to
be highly effective in engaging individuals in Mental Health treatment.
Peer support is the most frequently sought service in the Home and
Community Based Services (HCBS) program. This bill seeks to create a
clear and succinct definition of Peers as the Office of Mental Health
seeks to expand Peer Services. This bill also clarifies the OMH Commis-
sioner's authority to recognize programs to certify and credential
Peers. OMH needs this statutory framework as a foundation for the role
of Peers in every aspect of mental health services. Given the current
mental health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, peer services are
essential to meet the increased demand for services and supports.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
180 days after becoming a law

Statutes affected:
S9787: 7.03 mental hygiene law, 7.07 mental hygiene law