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Bill > A3236

NJ A3236

NJ A3236
Establishes oversight and qualifications of peer recovery specialists.

summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

The bill incorporates peer recovery specialists into current law and authorizes the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, in the Department of Law and Public Safety, to oversee the regulation of the specialists. As defined in the bill, a peer recovery specialist is an individual who provides services as a result of lived experience to other individuals struggling with substance use disorder or mental health problems. The director is to establish, among other items, the requirements to qualify as a peer recovery specialist. Additionally, the bill prohibits specialists from: (1) engaging in professional relationships or commitments that conflict with family members, friends, close associates, or others whose welfare might be jeopardized by that relationship or commitment; (2) exploiting peer relationships with current or former peers for personal gain, including social or business relationships; and (3) accepting as peers for recovery wellness services anyone with whom the peer recovery specialist has engaged in a personal relationship, including any family members or spouses. Moreover, an individual may only provide services as a peer recovery specialist and hold themselves out as a specialist if approved by the director. The bill does not inhibit (1) an individual's ability to provide selfhelp, sponsorship through support groups, or other uncompensated counseling assistance; (2) activities and services of a designated employee or agent of a private employer who is to be involved in the evaluation or referral for counseling of employees; (3) clergy when engaging in ministerial duties; (4) activities of trainees or interns pursuing a course of study in counseling; and (5) services provided by individuals as part of the scope of practice of the individual's profession.

AI Summary

This bill establishes oversight and qualifications for peer recovery specialists, who are individuals providing services based on their personal experience with substance use disorder or mental health challenges to others facing similar issues. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law and Public Safety will be responsible for regulating these specialists, including setting the requirements to become one, which will involve a criminal history background check. The bill also outlines specific prohibitions for peer recovery specialists, such as avoiding conflicts of interest with personal relationships, not exploiting their peer relationships for personal gain, and not providing services to individuals with whom they have a personal relationship, including family members. Importantly, individuals must be approved by the director to provide services or identify themselves as peer recovery specialists. However, the bill clarifies that it does not prevent individuals from offering uncompensated support like self-help or sponsorship, nor does it apply to certain professionals like clergy, employees involved in workplace counseling referrals, or trainees and interns in counseling programs, as long as they do not claim to be certified peer recovery specialists.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee (on 02/12/2026)
(2 Companion Bills)

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