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Committee moves bill to fix peer-support registration timeline; lawmakers cite cost savings
Summary
House Bill 470 (PSS 3) amends an earlier law to move the registration deadline for peer support specialists to Jan. 1, 2027, addressing a backlog of trained peers; the committee passed the bill 11-0 and accepted a title amendment; sponsors said the changes are expected to save about $300 million in Medicaid costs.
The Senate committee unanimously approved House Bill 470 (PSS 3) to correct a registration timeline for peer support specialists, moving the required registration date to Jan. 1, 2027, after the presenter said the ADC board was unable to promulgate regulations in time and a backlog of trained peers resulted.
Representative Kim Mosier explained that the substitute responds to committee feedback and shortens the runway for registration so trained and certified peer support specialists can register sooner. Kelly McCormick of Ramey Eastup described the provider role and said the changes were made in response to concerns raised at an earlier hearing.
Senators offered brief "explain" remarks before the unanimous vote. One member said she had spoken with industry contacts, heard no opposition, and was comfortable voting yes; another thanked the sponsors for diligent work addressing previous questions.
The committee also approved a title amendment by voice. Representative Mosier told members the bill’s changes are projected to save the state about $300,000,000 in Medicaid costs by removing reimbursement for a particular psychoeducation code; she framed that estimate as a fiscal outcome of the policy change.
What’s next: HB 470 advances to the next legislative stage. Committee staff and sponsors said they will continue to monitor implementation and the regulatory process for peer-support specialist registration.
