NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6037A
SPONSOR: Hunter 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. and establishes minimum qualifications 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 "veteran peer counselor"
The commissioner of Mental Health in consultation wit the commissioner
of veterans' service and the commissioner of addiction services and
supports to establish recommended qualifications for veteran peer coun-
selors.
JUSTIFICATION:
Peer support programs help veterans transition back to civilian life.
It is especially valuable for active military duty veterans; giving them
a setting for discussion with their comrades who also had similar expe-
riences. Peer support programs also, help veterans become more produc-
tive 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
2021/22: A9431 Referred to veterans affairs
2023/24: A1642 Referred to Veterans 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.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6037--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 26, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HUNTER, RAGA, K. BROWN, BURDICK -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs -- 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 Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section
2 7.42 to read as follows:
3 § 7.42 Peer support program for veterans.
4 (a) For the purpose of this section:
5 1. the term "veteran peer support services" shall include any form of
6 peer to peer counseling services for the treatment and recovery of
7 mental illness, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and/or chemical depend-
8 ence that are delivered by a veteran peer counselor to veterans.
9 2. the term "veteran peer counselor" shall mean a veteran who provides
10 veteran peer support services.
11 3. The term "veteran" means a person:
12 (i) who served in the active military, naval, air or space service of
13 the United States and who was discharged or released therefrom under
14 conditions other than dishonorable; or
15 (ii) has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the
16 veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad
17 conduct or dishonorable from such service; or
18 (iii) is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the
19 veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad
20 conduct or dishonorable from such service; or
21 (iv) is a "veteran" as defined by local law.
22 (b) 1. The commissioner, in consultation with with the commissioner of
23 addiction services and supports and the commissioner of veterans'
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07558-02-5
A. 6037--A 2
1 services shall establish recommended minimum qualifications for veteran
2 peer counselors. Such recommended qualifications shall be consistent
3 with the goals and purposes of veteran peer support services and may be
4 based on consideration of factors including, but not limited to,
5 completion of approved courses of study or equivalent on-the-job experi-
6 ence in mental health counseling and/or alcoholism and substance abuse
7 counseling, the criteria established by the United States Secretary of
8 Veterans Affairs for appointment as a peer specialist pursuant to 38
9 U.S.C. § 7402 (b)(13), other credentials established or recognized by
10 the office or any other experiences, qualities or qualifications deemed
11 necessary or desirable in a veteran peer counselor.
12 2. The commissioner shall make the recommended minimum qualifications
13 established pursuant to paragraph one of this subdivision publicly
14 available and disseminate such recommended qualifications to munici-
15 palities and other entities that provide veteran peer support services.
16 3. The commissioner in conjunction with the commissioner of
17 addiction services and supports and the commissioner of veterans'
18 services shall establish procedures for providing or connecting veteran
19 peer counselors to training and development opportunities that provide
20 experience, education, credentials or other recognition meeting the
21 recommended minimum qualifications established pursuant to paragraph one
22 of this subdivision.
23 (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring profes-
24 sional credentials, licensing or training as a precondition of serving
25 as veteran peer counselor, nor shall anything in this section be
26 construed as affecting the eligibility criteria for participating in or
27 providing "veteran peer support services" established by local law or by
28 an entity's policies.
29 § 2. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a
30 law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
31 rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its
32 effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such
33 date.
