[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2741 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2741
To address the behavioral health workforce shortages through support
for peer support specialists, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 8, 2025
Ms. Salinas (for herself, Ms. Davids of Kansas, Mrs. Watson Coleman,
Ms. Bonamici, and Mr. Doggett) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to
the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To address the behavioral health workforce shortages through support
for peer support specialists, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Empathetic and Effective
Recovery Support Act'' or the ``PEER Support Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST.
(a) In General.--In this Act, the term ``peer support specialist''
means an individual--
(1)(A) who has lived experience of recovery from a mental
health condition or substance use disorder and who specializes
in supporting individuals with mental health conditions or
substance use disorders; or
(B) who has lived experience as a parent or caregiver of an
individual with a mental health condition or substance use
disorder and who specializes in supporting families navigating
mental health or substance use service systems; and
(2) who is certified as qualified to furnish peer support
services, as described in subsection (b), under a process that
is determined by the State in which such individual furnishes
such services or determined appropriate by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services.
(b) Peer Support Services.--The services described in this
subsection shall be consistent with the National Practice Guidelines
for Peer Supporters issued by the National Association of Peer
Supporters (or a successor publication) and inclusive of the Core
Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services of the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
SEC. 3. RECOGNIZING THE PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST PROFESSION.
Not later than January 1, 2026, the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget shall revise the Standard Occupational
Classification system to include an occupational category for peer
support specialists.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF RECOVERY.
Part A of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 501C (42 U.S.C. 290aa-
0b) the following:
``SEC. 501D. OFFICE OF RECOVERY.
``(a) In General.--There is established, in the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration, an Office of Recovery (referred
to in this section as the `Office').
``(b) Director.--The Office shall be headed by a Director who has
demonstrated experience in, and lived experience with, mental health or
substance use disorder recovery.
``(c) Responsibilities.--Through the Office of Recovery, the
responsibilities of the Director shall include--
``(1) providing leadership in the identification of new and
emerging issues related to recovery support services;
``(2) supporting technical assistance, data analysis, and
evaluation functions in order to assist States, localities,
territories, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations in
developing recovery support services and identifying best
practices with the objective of expanding the capacity of, and
access to, recovery support services;
``(3) providing support for the training, education,
integration, and professionalization of the peer support
specialist workforce;
``(4) disseminating best practice recommendations with
respect to peer support specialist training, certification,
supervision, and practice to States and other entities that
employ peer support specialists;
``(5) supporting peer support specialists with ongoing
professional development and retention activities; and
``(6) developing recommendations on creating career
pathways for peer support specialists.
``(d) Functions.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this
section, the functions of the Office shall include the responsibilities
described in subsection (c) and the functions of the Office of Recovery
of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on the
day before such date of enactment, including all of its personnel,
assets, authorities, obligations, and liabilities, except as otherwise
specified in this section.
``(e) Definition of Peer Support Specialist.--In this section, the
term `peer support specialist' has the meaning given such term in
section 2 of the Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support
Act''.
SEC. 5. RESEARCH AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
PROCESS FOR PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary''), in coordination
with the Attorney General, shall develop a report on research and
recommendations with respect to criminal background check processes for
individuals becoming peer support specialists.
(b) Contents.--The report under subsection (a) shall include--
(1) a summary of evidence-informed literature on the
effectiveness of peer support specialists in improving the
mental health and the substance use disorder recovery of other
individuals;
(2) a survey of each State's laws (including regulations)
that contain criminal background check requirements for serving
as a peer support specialist, including--
(A) an analysis of criminal offenses that are
included in State laws (including regulations) that
prevent individuals from earning a peer support
specialist certification or from practicing as a peer
support specialist;
(B) an analysis of requirements (if any) under the
State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) or under a waiver of such plan
relating to background checks for providers
participating under such plan or waiver and the extent
to which any such requirements differ from similar
requirements imposed under State law (including
regulations);
(C) an analysis of requirements (if any) of any
State receiving a grant under part B of title XIX of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x et seq.)
relating to background checks for providers
participating in a program under, or otherwise
providing services supported by, such grant;
(D) a review of State laws (including regulations)
that provide exemptions from prohibitions regarding
certification or practice of peer support specialists;
and
(E) an indication of each State that has gone
through the process of amending or otherwise changing
criminal background check laws (including regulations)
for the certification and practice of peer support
specialists; and
(3) recommendations to States on criminal background check
processes that would reduce barriers to becoming certified as
peer support specialists.
(c) Availability.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) post the report required under subsection (a) on the
publicly accessible internet website of the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration; and
(2) distribute such report to--
(A) State agencies responsible for certification of
peer support specialists;
(B) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
(C) State agencies responsible for carrying out a
State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act
or under a waiver of such plan; and
(D) State agencies responsible for carrying out a
grant under part B of title XIX of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x et seq.).
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