(a) The department shall develop a mental health intervention program for veterans. The program must include:
(1) peer-to-peer counseling;
(2) access to licensed mental health professionals for peer service coordinators and peers;
(3) training approved by the department for peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers;
(4) technical assistance for peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers;
(5) identification, retention, and screening of community-based licensed mental health professionals;
(6) suicide prevention training for peer service coordinators and peers;
(7) veteran jail diversion services, including veterans treatment courts; and
(8) coordination of mental health first aid for veterans training to veterans and immediate family members of veterans.
(a-1) As part of the mental health intervention program for veterans, the department shall develop a women veterans mental health initiative.
(a-2) As part of the mental health intervention program for veterans, the department shall develop a rural veterans mental health initiative.
(b) The department shall solicit and ensure that specialized training is provided to persons who are peers and who want to provide peer-to-peer counseling or other peer-to-peer services under the program.
(c) The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter.