Bill > HB470

This bill, declared an emergency measure, aims to standardize and professionalize the role of peer support specialists in Kentucky's behavioral health system. Key provisions include requiring behavioral health multi-specialty groups and any entity billing for peer support services to employ only specifically qualified alcohol and drug peer support specialists until January 1, 2028, extending this requirement for other treatment entities and organizations to the same date, and eliminating references to temporary peer support specialists. Additionally, the bill establishes a Peer Support Professionals Work Group, tasked with developing recommendations for statewide requirements for licensed peer support professionals and exploring the creation of a dedicated board to oversee this profession, with a report due by November 1, 2026. The bill also repeals the specific section of law pertaining to temporary alcohol and drug peer support specialists, thereby removing that designation from the statutes.

Health and Social Services, Labor and Employment

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb470.html