The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.
In general, existing law requires an adult to be certified as a peer recovery support specialist or peer recovery support specialist supervisor by the Nevada Certification Board or, if that Board ceases issuing such certificates, the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, in order to provide peer recovery support services or supervise the provision of such services…
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In general, existing law requires an adult to be certified as a peer recovery support specialist or peer recovery support specialist supervisor by the Nevada Certification Board or, if that Board ceases issuing such certificates, the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, in order to provide peer recovery support services or supervise the provision of such services, as applicable, for compensation as a regular part of his or her job duties. However, existing law authorizes an adult who is not a peer recovery support specialist to provide peer recovery support services as a regular part of his or her job duties while serving as a peer recovery support specialist intern if the Nevada Certification Board or the Division, as applicable, has established conditions authorizing such internships. (NRS 433.631) Section 7 of this bill additionally prohibits a minor from providing or supervising the provision of peer recovery support services for compensation as a regular part of his or her job duties. Sections 7, 8 and 13 of this bill authorize the Division to impose a civil penalty or bring an action for an injunction against a minor who: (1) provides peer recovery support services; or (2) supervises the provision of peer recovery support services. Sections 4-6, 14 and 15 of this bill make various conforming changes to: (1) reflect that the provisions of law governing peer recovery support services apply to both adults and minors; and (2) clarify that those provisions of law apply only to natural persons. Section 25 of this bill repeals a definition that is no longer used, and section 2 of this bill eliminates a reference to that definition. Sections 3, 7 and 8 of this bill prohibit a natural person from holding himself or herself out as a certified prevention specialist unless he or she is certified as such by the Nevada Certification Board or, if that Board ceases to certify certified prevention specialists, peer recovery support specialists or peer recovery support specialist supervisors, the Division. Section 1 of this bill defines “certified prevention specialist” to mean a natural person who: (1) holds such certification; and (2) supervises, reviews and implements evidence-based programs, policies, practices and other culturally relevant interventions in schools or communities to prevent or reduce the harms caused by substance use, substance use disorder and other behavioral health disorders or address systemic barriers to wellness. Section 2 of this bill makes conforming changes to indicate the applicability of that definition. Sections 7 and 13 authorize the Division to impose a civil penalty or bring an action for an injunction against a natural person who holds himself or herself out as a certified prevention specialist without being certified as such. Sections 9-12, 14-17 and 19-23 of this bill make various changes so that certified prevention specialists are treated similarly to peer recovery support specialists and peer recovery support specialist supervisors for purposes related to: (1) regulation, certification and background checks; (2) mandatory reporting of certain crimes and violations; and (3) exemption from the applicability of provisions of law governing certain other professions that provide behavioral health services. Existing law: (1) provides for the certification of substance use disorder prevention coalitions; (2) requires a certified substance use disorder prevention coalition to perform certain duties relating to the prevention of substance misuse and substance use disorder; and (3) requires the Division to collaborate with and utilize certified substance use disorder prevention coalitions as the primary local and regional entities to coordinate programs and strategies for the prevention of substance use disorders in this State. (NRS 458.033) Section 18 of this bill requires a substance use disorder prevention coalition to employ or enter into contracts with certified prevention specialists as necessary to perform the duties of the coalition.