RCW 70.385.800 Sunrise review—Transfer of peer support counselor certification program to department of health—Creation of advanced peer support specialist credential. (Expires June 30, 2021.)

(1) The department of health shall conduct a sunrise review under chapter 18.120 RCW to evaluate transfer of the peer support counselor certification program under this chapter to the department of health with modifications to allow the program to become a license or certification under the oversight of the department of health subject to oversight, structure, discipline, and continuing education requirements typical of other programs related to behavioral health administered by the department of health. The plan for modification of the program must allow for grandfathering of current individuals who hold the peer support counselor certification. The sunrise review must evaluate the effect of these modifications on professionalism, portability, scope of practice, approved practice locations, workforce, bidirectional integration, and appropriate deployment of peer support services throughout the health system.

(2) The department of health shall conduct a sunrise review under chapter 18.120 RCW to evaluate the need for creation of an advanced peer support specialist credential to provide a license to perform peer support services in the areas of mental health, substance use disorders, and forensic behavioral health. The requirements for this credential must be accessible to persons in recovery and:

(a) Integrate with and complement the attributes of the peer counselor certification program administered by the Washington state health care authority under RCW 70.385.010;

(b) Provide education, experience, and training requirements that are more stringent than the requirements for the peer counselor certification program but less extensive than the requirements for licensure or certification under other credentials related to behavioral health which are administered by the department of health;

(c) Provide oversight, structure, discipline, and continuing education requirements typical for other professional licenses and certifications;

(d) Allow advanced peer support specialists to maximize the scope of practice suitable to their skills, lived experience, education, and training;

(e) Allow advanced peer support specialists to practice and receive reimbursement in behavioral health capitation rates in the full range of settings in which clients receive behavioral health services which are appropriate for their participation;

(f) Provide a path for career progression to more advanced credentials for those who are interested in pursuing them; and

(g) Incorporate consideration of common barriers to certification and licensure related to criminal history and recovery from behavioral health disorders experienced by peers and accommodate applicants who have these lived experiences to the greatest extent consistent with prudence and client safety.

(3) This section expires June 30, 2021.

[ 2019 c 446 § 52.]