SB 5055 - DIGEST

Requires the state health care authority to: (1) Administer a peer counselor certification program to support the delivery of peer support services in the state;

(2) Incorporate education and training for substance use disorder peers in the program;

(3) Include reimbursement for peer support services by substance use disorder peers in its behavioral health capitation rates;

(4) Allow for federal matching funds, consistent with the directive in chapter 299, Laws of 2018;

(5) Approve entities to perform specialized peer training for certification; and

(6) Cooperate with the department of health to complete the required sunrise review.

Requires the department of health to conduct a sunrise review under chapter 18.120 RCW (criteria and regulation of health professions) 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.