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House advances peer-support certification bill after floor debate and roll-call defeat of recommit motion
Summary
H.847, which would create a state certification for peer support providers and recovery support specialists and allow Medicaid billing for certified services, advanced on second reading after a roll-call vote (Yes 39, No 94) rejected a motion to recommit to Human Services. Committees cited workforce and fiscal impacts.
The Vermont House moved H.847 forward on second reading after a contested floor debate and a roll-call vote that rejected a motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Human Services.
Member from Winooski presented H.847 as a bill to professionalize peer support providers and recovery support specialists by creating certification through the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR). The bill would allow certified providers to be reimbursed by Medicaid when services meet federal requirements and would standardize training, background checks, and credentialing. "This bill formalizes the already established workforce in Vermont of qualified mental health support specialists and recovery coaches," the presenter said.
The Ways and Means committee summarized the estimated revenue and costs: the transcript reports 169 peer support providers currently employed at designated agencies and peer-run entities, and another 116 recovery support specialists employed in Vermont. At an initial certification fee of $50, Ways and Means estimated $10,000–$20,000 in fee revenue for fiscal 2026 and noted implementation costs (about $25,000 for OPR/Secretary of State work and an estimated $2,000 in adviser per diems). The fee is scheduled to increase to $75 in 2027.
During floor debate, members argued over committee jurisdiction and whether the Human Services Committee should review the substance-use disorder components for recovery support specialists. Proponents said the Healthcare and Ways and Means committees had taken testimony from relevant AHS divisions and stakeholders; opponents argued the substance-use pieces merited Human Services review. The House held a roll-call vote on the motion to recommit; the clerk recorded votes and reported the result: Yes 39, No 94, and the motion failed.
After the failed recommit motion, the House amended H.847 as recommended by committees and ordered third reading.
What happens next: With third reading ordered, H.847 will return to the floor for final passage and any final amendments.
