The bill addresses the behavioral health workforce shortage in Washington State by establishing the profession of certified peer specialists, recognizing their essential role in supporting individuals with behavioral health challenges. It expands access to peer services beyond Medicaid recipients to include those with commercial insurance and introduces a certification process that includes training, examination, and supervised experience. Key provisions include the creation of definitions for certified peer specialists and their trainees, the establishment of certification and renewal processes, and the authority for the Secretary of Health to adopt necessary rules. The bill mandates an 80-hour training course that incorporates recovery coaching and suicide prevention principles, ensuring inclusivity and cultural appropriateness.

Additionally, the bill requires behavioral health agencies to reduce the caseload for supervisors of certified peer specialist trainees and mandates that individuals registered as agency-affiliated counselors obtain certification as peer specialists by January 1, 2027, if they bill for peer support services. It also directs the office of the insurance commissioner to recommend the integration of certified peer specialists into commercial provider networks by January 1, 2026. The legislation amends existing laws regarding the licensure and monitoring of substance use disorder professionals and peer specialists, emphasizing good faith in allegations made by program participants. It establishes new requirements for the licensure of agencies and individuals providing care to vulnerable adults, ensuring that those with unsupervised access do not have disqualifying criminal histories, and introduces provisions for the investigation of criminal records for licensure purposes. If specific funding for the act is not provided by June 30, 2023, the act will be null and void.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.130.040, 18.130.175, 43.43.842