(a) With input from mental health and substance use peer specialists and the work group described by Subsection (b), the commission shall develop and the executive commissioner shall adopt:
(1) rules that establish training requirements for peer specialists so that they are able to provide services to persons with mental illness or services to persons with substance use conditions;
(2) rules that establish certification and supervision requirements for peer specialists;
(3) rules that define the scope of services that peer specialists may provide;
(4) rules that distinguish peer services from other services that a person must hold a license to provide; and
(5) any other rules necessary to protect the health and safety of persons receiving peer services.
(b) The commission shall establish a stakeholder work group to provide input for the adoption of rules under Subsection (a). The work group is composed of the following stakeholders appointed by the executive commissioner:
(1) one representative of each organization that certifies mental health and substance use peer specialists in this state;
(2) three representatives of organizations that employ mental health and substance use peer specialists;
(3) one mental health peer specialist who works in an urban area;
(4) one mental health peer specialist who works in a rural area;
(5) one substance use peer specialist who works in an urban area;
(6) one substance use peer specialist who works in a rural area;
(7) one person who trains mental health peer specialists;
(8) one person who trains substance use peer specialists;
(9) three representatives of mental health and addiction licensed health care professional groups who supervise mental health and substance use peer specialists;
(10) to the extent possible, not more than three persons with personal experience recovering from mental illness, substance use conditions, or co-occurring mental illness and substance use conditions; and
(11) any other persons considered appropriate by the executive commissioner.

Terms Used In Texas Government Code 531.0999

  • Month: means a calendar month. See Texas Government Code 312.011
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.

(c) The executive commissioner shall appoint one member of the work group to serve as presiding officer.
(d) The work group shall meet once every month.
(e) The work group is automatically abolished on the adoption of rules under Subsection (a).
(f) The executive commissioner may not adopt rules under Subsection (a) that preclude the provision of mental health rehabilitative services under 25 T.A.C. Chapter 416, Subchapter A, as that subchapter existed on January 1, 2017.

See note following this section.


Text of section effective until April 01, 2025
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