Bill > AB96

This bill makes changes to the requirements for becoming a certified peer support specialist and how they are recognized within the broader category of community health workers. Specifically, it removes the requirement for peer support specialist applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent degree, while still requiring them to be at least 18 years old, self-identify with experience in mental illness or substance use disorder recovery (either as a consumer or family member), be willing to share their experience, have a dedication to recovery, agree to a code of ethics, and successfully complete curriculum and training, and pass a certification exam. The bill also clarifies that a certified peer support specialist is considered a type of community health worker, which is defined as a liaison who helps connect people to health and social services, and that certified peer support specialists will be deemed to have met all educational and training requirements for community health worker certification. This is significant because it streamlines the process for peer support specialists to be recognized and potentially reimbursed for their services within the Medi-Cal program, which is California's health insurance program for low-income individuals, funded in part by the federal Medicaid program.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB96