PEER Support Act Creates Official Job Code for Peer Specialists, Establishes New SAMHSA Recovery Office

This legislation, the Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support Act (PEER Support Act), takes aim at behavioral health workforce shortages by formally recognizing and supporting peer support specialists. It defines who qualifies as a peer specialist—someone with lived experience in mental health or substance use recovery, certified to help others—and mandates the Office of Management and Budget create an official job classification for them under the Standard Occupational Classification system by January 1, 2026. The bill also establishes a dedicated Office of Recovery within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and requires a federal report on streamlining criminal background check processes for these roles.

Putting Peer Support on the Map

So, what does this mean practically? First, the bill lays out clear criteria for being a "peer support specialist" (Sec. 2). It's not just about having gone through something; it requires state or federal certification and adherence to national practice guidelines. This definition adds a layer of professionalism and standardization. Second, getting their own official job code by 2026 (Sec. 3) is a big step. Think of it like how electricians or nurses have specific classifications. This recognition can help standardize training, job descriptions, and potentially pay scales across different states and organizations, making it a more defined career path.

Building the Support System

A new Office of Recovery will be set up within SAMHSA, led by someone with direct recovery experience (Sec. 4). This office isn't starting from scratch; it absorbs the functions of SAMHSA's existing recovery office. Its expanded mandate includes identifying emerging needs, helping states and Tribes develop services, boosting training and professional development for peer specialists, sharing best practices, and figuring out long-term career pathways. Essentially, it aims to be a central hub coordinating and strengthening recovery support efforts nationwide, with a specific focus on empowering the peer workforce.

Clearing Hurdles to Helping

One of the most practical aspects is the required report on criminal background checks (Sec. 5). Many people ideally suited for peer support roles (thanks to their lived experience) might have past convictions related to their previous struggles with mental health or substance use. This report, due within a year of the bill's enactment, tasks the Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General with examining how state background check laws currently create barriers. It will survey state requirements, including those tied to Medicaid and federal grants, look at existing exemptions, and ultimately provide recommendations on how states can make it easier for qualified individuals to become certified peer specialists without compromising safety. This directly addresses a key bottleneck in growing the peer support workforce.