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Committee hears bill to certify family peer supporters for families of children with special health care needs
Summary
Representative S.J. Howell sponsored House Bill 76 to create a certified family peer support designation in state code; proponents said certification would professionalize peer supports, improve family outcomes, and pave the way for Medicaid reimbursement, while questions focused on certification vs. licensure, training, and fiscal implications.
Representative S.J. Howell, sponsor of House Bill 76, told the House Human Services Committee the bill would create a certified family peer support role for parents and caregivers who assist families of children and youth with special health care needs, including behavioral health and developmental disabilities.
The bill would add family peer support to the scope of behavioral health practice, define the role, exempt clergy, and establish eligibility and criteria for a certificate or license under the Board of Behavioral Health, Howell said. "This is a good interim committee bill. The children and families interim committee passed this, 7 to 1," Howell said.
Proponents, including family peer supporters, clinicians and provider associations, described peer support as lived-experience counseling for parents and caregivers that helps families navigate medical, educational and behavioral health systems. Beth Ayers of Montana's Peer Network, a former family peer supporter, said the role…
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