PEER Support Act Gives Official Job Title to Recovery Guides, Tackles Background Check Hurdles

The Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support (PEER) Act sets out to formally establish and bolster the role of peer support specialists within the mental health and substance use disorder recovery landscape. At its core, the bill defines a "peer support specialist" as someone using their own lived recovery experience (or experience as a caregiver) to help others, provided they are certified and follow established national guidelines. It mandates the creation of an official job classification for these specialists by January 1, 2026, and establishes a dedicated support office within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Making it Official: Putting Peer Support on the Books

A key step outlined in Section 3 is directing the Office of Management and Budget to update the Standard Occupational Classification system to include peer support specialists. This isn't just bureaucratic shuffling; giving these roles an official job code recognizes the profession, potentially paving the way for standardized training, better data collection, and clearer career paths. It formally acknowledges the value that individuals with lived experience bring, requiring them, per Section 2, to meet state or federal certification standards and adhere to core competencies defined by SAMHSA.

A New Hub for Recovery: Inside the Office of Recovery

Section 4 establishes a dedicated Office of Recovery within SAMHSA, led by a Director experienced in the field. This office is tasked with actively promoting and improving recovery support services nationwide. Its responsibilities include identifying emerging needs, helping states and Tribes develop services, supporting the training and integration of peer specialists, sharing best practices for supervision, and mapping out professional development opportunities. Think of it as a central resource aiming to ensure that quality peer support becomes more consistent and accessible, regardless of where someone lives.

Untangling the Red Tape: Background Checks Under Review

Recognizing that lived experience can sometimes involve past encounters with the justice system, Section 5 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, alongside the Attorney General, to dig into how criminal background checks affect aspiring peer support specialists. Within one year, they must produce a report that surveys state laws, analyzes offenses that disqualify individuals, examines different background check requirements (including for Medicaid and specific grants), reviews exemption processes, and notes any recent state law changes. Crucially, the report must include recommendations for states on how to adjust their processes to reduce barriers, aiming to expand the pool of qualified peer specialists. While the report itself is mandated, how states implement any recommendations could vary, potentially leading to differences in access and standards across the country.