NY A07395

Adds six new definitions to mental hygiene law section 7.03: Mental Health Peer (MHP), Family Peer Advocate (FPA), Youth Peer Advocate (YPA), New York State Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS), Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (CFPA), and Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (CYPA)

Defines Mental Health Peer as an individual in active recovery from a mental health condition with lived experience who has disclosed their mental health journey

Defines Family Peer Advocate as a biological, foster, or adoptive parent or primary caregiver of a child or youth with social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental disabilities

Defines Youth Peer Advocate as someone with first-hand experience with mental health and/or behavioral challenges as a young person or who has received services in child-serving systems

Requires the Office of Mental Health to establish training and qualification programs for peer service providers with credentials recognized by the commissioner

Takes effect 180 days after becoming law