What's happening
This bill establishes a peer support program for women veterans in New York, including training and certification standards for veteran peer counselors.
Why it matters
Addresses unique challenges faced by women veterans. by establishing peer support programs specifically tailored to issues like PTSD, substance abuse, family support, domestic violence, and legal concerns, which are often underrepresented in general veteran services.
Creates a pipeline of certified veteran peer counselors. by requiring state agencies to develop training, credentialing, and recognition standards, ensuring that counselors are both qualified and have relevant lived experience as veterans.
Improves access to culturally competent mental health and support services. by leveraging women veterans themselves as peer counselors, fostering greater trust, understanding, and effectiveness in supporting fellow veterans’ recovery.
Sets up oversight and accountability mechanisms. by mandating clear procedures for credentialing, and for suspending or revoking certifications, which aims to maintain high standards and protect the wellbeing of program participants.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Veteran Peer Support Program
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 4261a
- Amend and recommit to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military 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.
Start Veteran Peer Support
In Assembly Committee · Veterans' Affairs · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4261--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 5, 2019
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs -- recommitted to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- 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.
LBD07139-03-0
S. 4261--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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a peer support program for veterans
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to establish e peer support program for veterans. Develop and establish regional and county based peer support services programs for women veterans and establishes minimum qualifica- tions for recognized or certified veteran peer counselor.
Summary of specific provisions
The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 7.42 that defines the term "peer support services" and "certified or recognized veteran peer counselor." Establishes regional or county based peer support services programs for women veterans. Sets the qualifications and certification for the recognized or certified veteran peer counse- lors
Justification
Peer support programs help veterans transition back to civilian life. It's especially valuable for active military duty veterans; giving them a setting for discussion with their comrades who also had similar expe- riences. Women veterans are also assisted by peer support that is geared towards the specific challenges they face in civilian life. Peer support programs also, help veterans become more productive with dealing with stress and coping with depression or substance abuse.
Trauma and stress experienced during military service can often leave veterans with PTSD. Veterans may turn to medication or alcohol to relieve the symptoms of PTSD which could ultimately lead to addiction and abuse. Peer support programs are critical factors in mitigating PTSD as they enable veterans to build healthier and positive relationships.'
Prior legislative history
2011/12: A9679A Referred to Ways and Means
2013/14: A6516 Passed Assembly
2015/16: A6114 Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
2017-18: 56237- REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
Fiscal implication
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect on one year after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or reputation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec- tive date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.