STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6509 2017-2018 Regular Sessions IN SENATE May 30, 2017 ___________ Introduced by Sen. JACOBS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to opioid overdose reversal and peer to peer support services 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 19.18-b to read as follows: 3 § 19.18-b Substance use disorder peer to peer support services program. 4 1. For purposes of this subdivision "peer to peer support services" 5 means participant-centered services that emphasize knowledge and wisdom 6 through lived experience in which peers are encouraged to share their 7 own personal experience and first-hand knowledge of substance abuse, 8 addiction, and recovery to support the recovery goals of individuals who 9 use drugs and/or alcohol. 10 2. The commissioner, in consultation with the department of health 11 shall develop and administer a certification process and standards of 12 training and competency for substance use disorder peer support 13 services. 14 3. Certified peer to peer support services shall include but not be 15 limited to: 16 (a) developing recovery plans; 17 (b) raising awareness of existing social and other support services; 18 (c) modeling coping skills; 19 (d) assisting with applying for benefits; 20 (e) accompanying clients to medical appointments; 21 (f) providing non-clinical crisis support, especially after periods of 22 hospitalization or incarceration; 23 (g) accompanying clients to court appearances and other appointments; 24 (h) working with participants to identify strengths; 25 (i) linking participants to formal recovery supports; EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD11888-02-7S. 6509 2 1 (j) educating program participants about various modes of recovery; 2 (k) peer engagement coordination with hospital emergency services to 3 assist any patient that has been administered an opioid antagonist by a 4 medical provider to establish connections to treatment and other 5 supports after an opioid overdose reversal or after discharge from 6 another substance abuse related emergency department visit; and 7 (l) peer engagement coordination with law enforcement departments, 8 fire departments and other first responder departments to assist any 9 individual that has been administered an opioid antagonist by a first 10 responder to establish connections to treatment and other support 11 services after an opioid overdose reversal. 12 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that 13 effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule 14 or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec- 15 tive date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or 16 before such effective date.