Senate panel advances bill to define and coordinate recovery community organizations and peer specialists

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted to pass House Bill 657, legislation that defines certified peer specialists, sets baseline operating standards for recovery community organizations (RCOs), and directs the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to designate a statewide coordinating RCO subject to funding.

Representative Hagan told the committee that Georgia now has a large network of recovery community organizations and the bill responds to their request to protect core characteristics while ensuring consistent training and designation of DBHDD-approved certified training bodies. The bill also outlines that DBHDD would designate a statewide RCO to coordinate the network, subject to appropriations.

The committee passed the bill by voice vote and discussed likely champions and carriers for subsequent stages.

Ending: HB 657 passed committee and will be carried forward in the legislative process.