What's happening
This bill establishes a peer support program for veterans in New York, focusing on mental health and substance abuse services, especially for women veterans.
Why it matters
Expands mental health and substance abuse services tailored for veterans. by integrating peer counselors—veterans with lived experience—into support programs, which can improve trust and engagement among those reluctant to seek traditional care.
Specifically targets women veterans. by establishing regional or county-based peer support programs addressing not just mental health and substance use, but also domestic violence, child care, family support, physical health, and legal issues—areas often underserved for women in the veteran community.
Creates a formal framework for training, credentialing, and oversight of veteran peer counselors. , ensuring that individuals providing these services have recognized qualifications and that there are procedures for quality control (including credential suspension or revocation).
Signals a shift toward a holistic, peer-driven approach. in veterans' support, recognizing the unique value of shared military experience in mental health recovery and potentially reducing stigma associated with seeking help.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Start Veteran Peer Support
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Print number 2945a
- Amend and recommit to veterans' affairs
- Referred to veterans' affairs
- Referred to veterans' affairs
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Veteran Peer Support Program
In Senate Committee · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2945--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ, BARRETT, CRESPO, DenDEKKER, OTIS, MALLIO- TAKIS, MORINELLO, HEVESI, CUSICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs -- recommitted to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a peer support program for veterans
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 7.42 to read as follows: § 7.42 Peer support program for veterans.
(a) For the purpose of this section the term "peer support services" shall mean any service designated by the office used in the treatment and recovery of mental illness, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and/or chemical dependence that is delivered by a certified peer counselor or a veteran recognized pursuant to the provisions of this section; and the term "certified or recognized veteran peer counselor" shall mean an individual who has served in the active military or naval service of the United States and has been released from such service otherwise than by dishonorable discharge as documented by his or her discharge papers or who has been furloughed to the reserve components of the armed forces of the United States who has training, credentials or experience recognized by the office.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner, in conjunction with the commissioner of addiction services and supports, and the state director of the division of veterans' affairs shall develop and establish regional or county based peer support services programs for women veterans. Services provided by the recognized or certified woman veteran peer support services program
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07139-02-0
A. 2945--A 2
shall include, but not be limited to, peer counseling techniques for mental illness including post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, family support services, domestic violence, mental health, child care, physical health and legal issues.
(c) The commissioner, in conjunction with the commissioner of the office of addiction services and supports and the state director of the division of veterans' affairs shall foster programs for the training and development of persons capable of providing the services set forth in this section, including, but not limited to, a process of issuing, either directly or through contract, credentials for recognized or certified veteran peer counselors in accordance with the following:
1. The office shall establish minimum qualifications for recognized or certified veteran peer counselors in all phases of delivery of services to veterans who are evaluated and certified or recognized by the office on factors including, but not be limited to, completion of approved courses of study or equivalent on-the-job experience in mental health counseling and/or alcoholism and substance abuse counseling or other credentials established or recognized by the office; and
2. The office shall establish procedures for issuing, directly or through contract, credentials to certified peer counselors who meet minimum qualifications, and shall further establish procedures to suspend, revoke, or annul such credentials for good cause.
§ 2. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.