Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a certification process for family peer support specialists and amends and revises laws related to the board of behavioral health in Montana.

Highlights:

• Establishes a certification process for family peer support specialists and amends and revises laws related to the Board of Behavioral Health in Montana to provide consistency across jurisdictions in child abuse and neglect cases and transparency for families (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that an applicant for a family peer support specialist must (Sec. 5):

• Have personal experience as the parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child under 21 years of age with significant physical, developmental, or behavioral health needs; and

• Have completed an approved program in family peer support, including an ethics portion, as defined by board rule.

• Requires the Board of Behavioral Health to (Sec. 5):

• Provide a list of approved programs in behavioral health peer support and family peer support; and

• Approve content that is flexible, affordable, and inclusive of faith-based, cultural, and educational programs available from national, regional, and state agencies and organizations.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text