S.1329 - Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support Act; PEER Support Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1329, the PEER Support Act, aims to address behavioral health workforce shortages by supporting peer support specialists. The bill defines 'peer support specialist,' mandates the Office of Management and Budget to create an occupational category for them, and establishes an Office of Recovery within SAMHSA. It also directs the Secretary of HHS to research and make recommendations on criminal background check processes for peer support specialists.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely increase the number of certified peer support specialists available to assist individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. The establishment of the Office of Recovery will provide leadership and support for recovery support services at the federal level. The research on criminal background checks could lead to more standardized and less restrictive processes for certification.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to mental health and substance use disorder support.
- Enhanced professionalization and recognition of peer support specialists.
- Improved coordination and dissemination of best practices in recovery support services.
- Potential reduction of barriers to entry for qualified individuals seeking to become peer support specialists.
- Strengthened behavioral health workforce.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with establishing and maintaining the Office of Recovery.
- Possible inconsistencies in certification standards across different states.
- Risk of unintended consequences from changes to criminal background check processes.
- The effectiveness of the Office of Recovery will depend on its leadership and resources.
- Possible delays in implementation due to the deadlines set within the bill.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It promotes the well-being of citizens by addressing mental health and substance use disorders. The establishment of the Office of Recovery and the directives to the Secretary of HHS fall under Congress's power to legislate for the general welfare.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).