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Establishes a federal definition and practice standard for peer support specialists, requires State or HHS‑approved certification, and directs adherence to recognized peer support competencies and guidelines. It also adds peer support specialists as a new occupational category in the Standard Occupational Classification and creates a permanent Office of Recovery within SAMHSA to support the peer workforce and recovery services. Requires HHS (with the Attorney General) to report within one year on how criminal background checks and related laws affect certification of peer support specialists, summarize evidence on peer support effectiveness, and recommend ways to reduce certification barriers; OMB must add the new occupation by January 1, 2026.
Defines the term “peer support specialist” to mean an individual who meets the criteria in subsection (a).
Has lived experience of recovery from a mental health condition or a substance use disorder and specializes in supporting individuals with mental health conditions or substance use disorders (subsection (a)(1)(A)).
Or has lived experience as a parent or caregiver of an individual with a mental health condition or substance use disorder and specializes in supporting families navigating mental health or substance use service systems (subsection (a)(1)(B)).
Is certified as qualified to furnish peer support services under a certification process determined by the State where the individual provides services, or under a process determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (subsection (a)(2)).
Requires that peer support services be consistent with the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters issued by the National Association of Peer Supporters (or a successor publication) and inclusive of the Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (subsection (b)).
Who is affected and how:
Peer support specialists (profession): The bill creates a clear federal definition and practice expectations, raises the visibility of the role by adding it to the federal occupational classification, and ties certification to State or HHS‑approved procedures. This should support professional recognition and potentially improve pay, hiring, and program integration, though it may also require meeting certification requirements where they did not exist before.
Mental health and substance use providers and programs: Providers that employ or contract peer specialists will need to align hiring and credentialing practices with the law’s definition and standards. Programs may benefit from clearer guidance on competencies and best practices and from a federal office focused on recovery supports.
People with mental health conditions and substance use disorders and their families: Potentially broader and more standardized access to peer support services, which research often links to improved engagement and outcomes. If certification or background checks remain barriers, some local peer workers could face hurdles entering the workforce until recommendations are implemented.
State governments and certifying bodies: States will be the primary certifiers unless HHS approves alternate processes. States may need to review and possibly update certification rules, background check procedures, and Medicaid or grant conditions to align with federal recommendations and the new report’s findings.
SAMHSA and federal agencies (HHS, OMB, DOJ): SAMHSA must host and staff the Office of Recovery and carry out workforce and program coordination duties; OMB must update the occupational classification by the deadline; HHS and DOJ must collaborate on the mandated report. Agencies will absorb administrative work within existing or newly appropriated budgets.
Potential benefits and tradeoffs:
Overall, the legislation mainly standardizes and elevates the peer support workforce and directs federal attention to certification and background check barriers without directly authorizing significant new spending.
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
PEER Support Act
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced April 8, 2025 by Timothy Michael Kaine · Last progress April 8, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced in Senate