Committee advances AB 96 to remove high-school-diploma requirement for Medi‑Cal peer-support certification

Assemblymember Jackson presented AB 96 to remove the requirement that applicants hold a high-school diploma or equivalent to become certified Medi‑Cal peer support specialists. Jackson said peer-support services are recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as evidence-based practices that foster recovery. He brought technical witnesses from the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California and CalVoices to answer committee questions.

The committee had no recorded opposition in the room and moved AB 96 "out on a roll call" after a motion and second were recorded. The chair announced the item out on a roll call; the formal vote tally will be posted with the committee record.