The bill seeks to enhance the role and accessibility of certified peer support specialists within Washington's behavioral health system by amending various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). It requires managed care organizations to demonstrate the accessibility of peer services, mandates a comprehensive analysis of access to certified peer counselors, and emphasizes the integration of peer support services into clinical care models. The bill also establishes a new section directing the authority to contract with external entities to expand access to these services, develop a training curriculum for certified peer support specialists, and create specialized training courses for crisis response, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Additionally, the bill introduces a formal certification process for peer support specialists, including specific training and examination requirements, while providing immunity from civil liability for good faith reporting related to substance use disorders. It sets fee structures for certification processes, caps fees for certified peer support specialists, and mandates insurance carriers to provide access to these specialists by 2026. The legislation also clarifies definitions related to behavioral health services, establishes a framework for the state's crisis response system, and introduces standards for mobile rapid response crisis teams, ensuring that these teams include certified peer support specialists. Overall, the bill aims to improve the behavioral health workforce and crisis response services while ensuring that costs remain manageable for individuals seeking certification.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 74.09.871, 18.420.005, 18.420.010, 18.420.020, 18.420.030, 18.420.040, 18.420.050, 18.130.180, 18.420.090, 18.420.800, 43.70.250, 48.43.825, 71.24.585, 71.24.903, 71.24.920, 71.24.922, 71.24.924, 71.40.040, 71.40.090
Substitute Bill: 74.09.871, 71.24.920, 18.420.005, 18.420.010, 18.420.020, 18.420.030, 18.420.040, 18.420.050, 18.130.180, 18.420.090, 18.420.800, 43.70.250, 48.43.825, 71.24.585, 71.24.903, 71.24.922, 71.24.924, 71.40.040, 71.40.090
Second Substitute: 74.09.871, 71.24.920, 18.420.005, 18.420.010, 18.420.020, 18.420.030, 18.420.040, 18.420.050, 18.130.180, 18.420.090, 18.420.800, 43.70.250, 48.43.825, 71.24.585, 71.24.903, 71.24.922, 71.24.924, 71.40.040, 71.40.090