AN ACT relating to behavioral health services and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 222.233 to require behavioral health multi-specialty groups or any entity that bills for peer support services to only employ specifically qualified alcohol and drug peer support specialists until January 1, 2028; extend the time period in which other alcohol and other drug treatment entities and behavioral health service organizations may only employ specifically qualified alcohol and drug peer support specialists to January 1, 2028; remove references to temporary alcohol and drug peer support…

Substance Use Effective Dates, Emergency Licensing Mental Health Occupations and Professions Public Health

Introduced: January 22, 2026

Last action: April 10, 2026

(Acts Ch. 80)

In effect since April 10, 2026

This act carries an emergency clause, so it took effect as soon as it became law instead of waiting the usual 90 days after the session adjourned (Ky. Constitution § 55).

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This bill updates the rules around who can provide peer support services for people dealing with alcohol and drug issues, requiring that only specifically qualified specialists fill these roles through January 2028. It eliminates a temporary specialist category that had previously existed. It also creates a work group to study and make recommendations on building a statewide licensing board for peer support professionals. Who it may affect: people seeking alcohol and drug treatment services, peer support specialists, and behavioral health organizations that employ or bill for these services.

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