Bill > HR2741

This bill introduces comprehensive legislation to support and professionalize peer support specialists in mental health and substance use disorder recovery. It defines a peer support specialist as an individual with lived experience of recovery from mental health conditions or substance use disorders, or as a caregiver/parent of someone with such conditions, who is certified by their state to provide support services. The bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to create a specific occupational category for peer support specialists by January 2026 and establishes a new Office of Recovery within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This office will be led by a director with personal recovery experience and will focus on supporting peer support specialists through leadership, technical assistance, training, professional development, and creating career pathways. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive research report on criminal background check processes for peer support specialists, analyzing state laws, examining barriers to certification, and providing recommendations to help more individuals enter this important profession. The goal is to address behavioral health workforce shortages by recognizing, supporting, and expanding the peer support specialist workforce across the United States.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2741/all-info