Salinas, Mann Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Addiction Crisis, Support Individuals in Recovery

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Tracey Mann (KS-01) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery (PEER) Support Act, legislation that would expand access to peer-to-peer support services for those struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) are leading a companion bill in the Senate. The PEER Support Act was first introduced by Reps. Salinas and Mann during the 118th Congress.

“The road to recovery is long and difficult, and at times very lonely. That is why peer support specialists are so important. These are trained experts who have been through recovery themselves, enabling them to build authentic connections with individuals who are suffering from addiction or behavioral health disorders," said Rep. Salinas. "The bipartisan PEER Support Act breaks down barriers to entry in the profession, allowing more people to pursue this critical work and utilize their own lived experiences to help others."

“Addressing mental health and substance abuse across the country is crucial to revitalizing communities and restoring families,” said Rep. Mann. “Peer-to-peer support enables those with shared experiences to work towards recovery. Educating additional peer support specialists will meet an increased need in our communities and offer more lifesaving resources for individuals seeking recovery.”

Research shows that peer-to-peer support services can significantly decrease rates of substance abuse and reduce re-hospitalization for individuals with mental illnesses. Peer support specialists are qualified experts with lived experience of mental illness or substance use who are trained to help others with their recovery. However, while peer support specialists have become an important part of treatment and recovery teams, peer support specialists face significant barriers to entering or staying in the profession. The PEER Support Act would help break down those barriers and make it easier for people to become qualified peer support specialists.

Specifically, the PEER Support Act would:

• Instruct the Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Department of Justice, to research states’ criminal background screening processes that may pose barriers to the certification or practice of peer support specialists, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for overcoming those barriers.
• Codify the Office of Recovery in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to:
• Provide leadership in the identification of new and emerging issues related to recovery support services;
• Research and publish best practice recommendations to States and entities that employ peer specialists for training, certification, and supervision of peer support specialists;
• Support ongoing professional development of peer support specialists;
• Issue recommendations on the creation of career pathways for peer support specialists.
• Direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system to create a distinct classification for peer support specialists to ensure accurate data reporting on the peer support specialist profession.

In addition to Reps. Salinas and Mann, the legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), American Mental Health Counselors Association, American Psychological Association Services (APA Services), Anxiety & Depression Association of America, Ballad Health, Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Face and Voices of Recovery, Fountain House, International Society for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses, Lakeshore Foundation, Mental Health America (MHA), Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA), NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association for Peer Supporters (NAPS), National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Federation of Families, Overdose Prevention Initiative, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Psychotherapy Action Network, RI International, SMART Recovery, and Trust for America’s Health (TFAH).

“Fifty-two million adults in the U.S.—or 1 in 5 adults—have a mental health condition, and we lack the workforce to help provide much-needed services. The Bipartisan Policy Center has recommended policies advancing peer support specialists and boosting recovery services, and we believe the reintroduction of the PEER Support Act is a critical step toward addressing the shortage of behavioral health workers in this country,” said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action.

“There is a growing demand for mental health and substance use care across the country, yet we face a severe shortage of mental health providers,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Peer support specialists play a vital role in bridging this gap and supporting people with behavioral health conditions, but we need to reduce barriers that will make peer services more widely available. Representative Salinas’ PEER Support Act takes meaningful steps to lower these barriers by providing essential training, education, and professional resources to strengthen and sustain the peer support workforce. NAMI is proud to endorse this critical legislation."

“Mental Health America (MHA) applauds Congresswoman Andrea Salinas and Congressman Tracey Mann for introducing the PEER Support Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would recognize and elevate the importance of peer support services in promoting mental health and recovery,” said Mary Giliberti, Chief Public Policy Officer for Mental Health America (MHA).  “As our nation grapples with challenges to accessing mental health and substance use care this bill would invest in peer specialists, a critical arm of the behavioral health workforce. MHA urges Congress to enact this bill into law as part of our nation's effort to combat the ongoing substance use and mental health crises.” 

“The PEER Support Act recognizes the significant tie between mental health and substance use disorders by expanding peer-to-peer support services. These evidence-based services are a crucial component in our overall overdose response. We commend Representatives Salinas and Mann, and Senators Kaine and Banks for leading on this issue and advancing policies that prevent overdose deaths and promote recovery,” said Libby Jones, Associate Vice President for the Overdose Prevention Initiative at Global Health Advocacy Incubator.

To read the full text of this legislation, click here. 

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