Bill > HB1427

This bill aims to establish and expand the role of certified peer support specialists in Washington state's behavioral health system. The bill creates a comprehensive framework for certifying, training, and integrating peer support specialists into various healthcare settings, with the goal of addressing behavioral health workforce shortages and improving access to mental health and substance use disorder services. Key provisions include developing an 80-hour training course for peer support specialists by January 1, 2025, establishing certification requirements, and creating pathways for peer support specialists to work in diverse settings such as primary care clinics, hospitals, crisis response teams, and victim services agencies. The bill mandates that by July 1, 2026, health carriers must provide access to certified peer support specialist services and requires these specialists to obtain certification to bill for their services starting January 1, 2027. The legislation also instructs the state health authority to contract with external entities to expand peer support services, develop technical assistance programs to help healthcare providers integrate peer support specialists, and create proposals for low-barrier billing mechanisms. Additionally, the bill requires the development of specialized training courses for peer support specialists working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and establishes a statewide database to link peer support specialists with potential employers. The bill aims to recognize the unique value of peer support specialists who use their lived experience with mental health or substance use disorders to support others in their recovery journey, while creating a structured professional pathway for these important healthcare workers.