Overview
Title
To address the behavioral health workforce shortages through support for peer support specialists, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 2741 is a plan to help people who support others with mental health challenges by making it official that their job exists and needs training and rules. It also looks into making sure people with good hearts can still do this job even if they made mistakes in their lives before.
Summary AI
H.R. 2741, known as the "Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support Act" or the "PEER Support Act," aims to address the shortage of behavioral health workers by supporting peer support specialists. The bill defines peer support specialists and requires their inclusion in the Standard Occupational Classification system by 2026. It establishes an Office of Recovery within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to promote recovery services and professional development for peer support specialists. Additionally, the bill directs research and recommendations on criminal background checks for those pursuing this profession, intending to reduce barriers to certification.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The "Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support Act," or the "PEER Support Act," is intended to address workforce shortages in behavioral health by supporting peer support specialists. These specialists are individuals with personal experience in recovery from mental health or substance use disorders. The bill seeks to recognize peer support specialists as a distinct professional category, establish an Office of Recovery to enhance support services, and develop a report on background check processes for these specialists.
Summary of Significant Issues
One significant concern is the lack of standardization in defining and certifying peer support specialists, which may lead to inconsistencies in service quality across different states. The bill delegates the definition and certification process to states and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, potentially resulting in varying levels of service quality.
The bill also does not specify funding for the new Office of Recovery. Without a clearly defined budget, there is a risk of unfunded mandates, presenting challenges in executing the office's responsibilities effectively. Additionally, the timeline for establishing the office lacks interim deadlines, which may delay its formation.
Another issue is the reliance on external guidelines for defining "peer support services" without incorporating them into the law, which could lead to discrepancies if these guidelines change. Lastly, the requirement for a report on criminal background checks lacks a defined budget or framework, raising concerns about execution and potential expenses.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this bill aims to improve access to mental health and substance use services through peer support specialists. By formalizing this role, individuals may receive more relatable and empathetic support, potentially enhancing recovery outcomes. However, variability in service quality due to inconsistent state regulations might impact the overall reliability and trust in these services.
Without assured funding, implementation may be uneven, which could result in frustration for those seeking help. If effectively implemented, increased recognition and support for mental health workers may lead to improved services and recovery rates, benefiting the community at large.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For Peer Support Specialists: Recognizing peer support specialists within the occupational classification system may offer more career opportunities, job security, and professional recognition. However, differences in state certification processes might affect job mobility and standardization of roles.
For State Agencies & Governments: The bill places the onus on states to certify peer support specialists. States could benefit from clearer guidelines from the federal government to prevent discrepancies. Moreover, without specified funding, states may struggle to allocate resources for implementing these provisions.
For the Behavioral Health Workforce: Overall, this act aims to address workforce shortages by potentially attracting more individuals to the field. However, ensuring that there are clear training and certification standards will be crucial to achieving a professional, competent workforce.
For Policy Makers and Implementers: Policymakers must ensure coordinated effort and resource allocation to avoid unfunded mandates and actualize the benefits intended by the legislation. Clear communication between federal and state agencies will be vital to successful implementation.
Overall, while the PEER Support Act holds promise for enhancing mental health support services through peer engagement, careful attention to implementation details, funding, and standardization will be crucial to its success.
Issues
The lack of standardization in defining 'peer support specialists' and their qualifications may lead to inconsistencies in service quality across different states, as outlined in Section 2. This variability could affect the reliability of the services provided.
The bill does not specify funding or resources necessary for the establishment and operation of the Office of Recovery (Section 4), which could result in unfunded mandates and uncertainties regarding how the necessary activities will be financed.
There is a potential for unfunded mandates in Section 3 as the bill does not specify any funding or resources required for revising the Standard Occupational Classification system to include peer support specialists.
The bill relies heavily on external guidelines for defining 'peer support services', as noted in Section 2, without explicitly incorporating them into the law, which may result in future discrepancies if those guidelines change or become obsolete.
Section 5 lacks a clear budget or cost estimate for the development and distribution of the report on criminal background check processes, which might incur unforeseen expenses.
Section 4 uses vague language like 'best practices' and lacks specific criteria or standards, which might lead to ambiguities in implementation and evaluation.
The bill does not set clear timelines or interim deadlines for the establishment of the Office of Recovery in Section 4, potentially delaying its implementation.
The phrase 'career pathways for peer support specialists' in Section 4 lacks detail on implementation, making it difficult to assess its feasibility and impact.
The distribution and communication strategy for the report in Section 5 could incur additional costs and administrative challenges, given the broad list of state agencies and organizations that need to receive it.
The roles and responsibilities between the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General in Section 5 are not clearly outlined, leading to potential ambiguity in execution.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this act provides the short title, stating that it may be referred to as the “Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support Act” or simply the “PEER Support Act”.
2. Definition of peer support specialist Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section, a "peer support specialist" is defined as someone who either has personal experience recovering from mental health or substance use issues or is a parent/caregiver who has cared for someone with such issues. This person must be certified by the state or approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide peer support services, which should follow national guidelines for practice and core skills.
3. Recognizing the peer support specialist profession Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires that by January 1, 2026, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget update the Standard Occupational Classification system to add a category specifically for peer support specialists.
4. Establishing the Office of Recovery Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of Recovery within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This office, led by a director with experience in recovery, will focus on supporting initiatives for peer support specialists and developing recovery support services to enhance mental health and substance use disorder recovery efforts.
501D. Office of Recovery Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Office of Recovery is established within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to lead efforts in improving recovery support services. It will be guided by a Director with personal and professional experience in mental health or substance use recovery, and responsibilities include enhancing training for peer support specialists, promoting best practices, and developing career paths for these professionals.
5. Research and recommendations on criminal background check process for peer support specialists Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, alongside the Attorney General, will develop a report on criminal background check processes for peer support specialists, which will include a summary of the effectiveness of these specialists, a survey of State laws and regulations, and recommendations to reduce certification barriers. This report will be made publicly available within a year and distributed to relevant State agencies and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.