Sec. 531.0999. PEER SPECIALISTS. (a) With input from mental health and substance use peer specialists and the work group described by Subsection (b), the commission shall develop and the executive commissioner shall adopt:

(1) rules that establish training requirements for peer specialists so that they are able to provide services to persons with mental illness or services to persons with substance use conditions;

(2) rules that establish certification and supervision requirements for peer specialists;

(3) rules that define the scope of services that peer specialists may provide;

(4) rules that distinguish peer services from other services that a person must hold a license to provide; and

(5) any other rules necessary to protect the health and safety of persons receiving peer services.

(b) The commission shall establish a stakeholder work group to provide input for the adoption of rules under Subsection (a). The work group is composed of the following stakeholders appointed by the executive commissioner:

(1) one representative of each organization that certifies mental health and substance use peer specialists in this state;

(2) three representatives of organizations that employ mental health and substance use peer specialists;

(3) one mental health peer specialist who works in an urban area;

(4) one mental health peer specialist who works in a rural area;

(5) one substance use peer specialist who works in an urban area;

(6) one substance use peer specialist who works in a rural area;

(7) one person who trains mental health peer specialists;

(8) one person who trains substance use peer specialists;

(9) three representatives of mental health and addiction licensed health care professional groups who supervise mental health and substance use peer specialists;

(10) to the extent possible, not more than three persons with personal experience recovering from mental illness, substance use conditions, or co-occurring mental illness and substance use conditions; and

(11) any other persons considered appropriate by the executive commissioner.

(c) The executive commissioner shall appoint one member of the work group to serve as presiding officer.

(d) The work group shall meet once every month.

(e) The work group is automatically abolished on the adoption of rules under Subsection (a).

(f) The executive commissioner may not adopt rules under Subsection (a) that preclude the provision of mental health rehabilitative services under 25 T.A.C. Chapter 416, Subchapter A, as that subchapter existed on January 1, 2017.

Text of section effective on June 15, 2017, but only if a specific appropriation is provided as described by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1015 (H.B. 1486), Sec. 5(b), which states: This Act takes effect only if the 85th Legislature appropriates money specifically for the purpose of implementing this Act. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, this Act does not take effect.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1015 (H.B. 1486), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2017.