HB 3599

relating to the certification of peer specialists and peer
specialist supervisors for purposes of Medicaid mental health and
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 547.0003, Government Code, as effective
April 1, 2025, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read
(c)  In adopting rules under Subsection (a)(2) for purposes
of mental health and substance use services provided through
Medicaid, the executive commissioner shall ensure that the initial
or renewal application of a person for certification as a peer
specialist or peer specialist supervisor is denied only for a
(1)  three years following the date on which the
applicant was convicted of or placed on community supervision for:
(A)  an alcohol or drug offense punishable as a
Class A misdemeanor or felony; or
(B)  except as provided by Subsection (d), any
other offense punishable as a felony; or
(2)  except as provided by Subsection (d), two years
following the date on which the applicant was convicted of or placed
on community supervision for an alcohol or drug offense punishable
(d)  The executive commissioner by rule shall provide for a
period longer than the period specified by Subsection (c)(1) during
which an initial or renewal application for certification as a peer
specialist or peer specialist supervisor to provide mental health
or substance use services through Medicaid must be denied if the
applicant has been convicted of or placed on community supervision
for an offense involving harm or the possibility of harm to a child,
SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.