Assembly BillChaptered/SignedWelfare and Institutions
AB 96: Mental health services: peer support specialist certification.
What AB 96 does, verified September 29, 2026
This bill aims to amend the Medi-Cal program by changing the requirements for peer support specialist certification. Currently, applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree to receive certification. The proposed change would remove the requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent degree, allowing individuals to be certified as peer support specialists without this educational requirement.
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Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 497, Statutes of 2026. (2026-09-27)Alert me
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| Sep. 27, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 497, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep. 27, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep. 03, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 26, 2026 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Aug. 26, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.). |
Latest bill textChaptered version, September 27, 2026 · 384 words
Assembly Bill No. 96
CHAPTER 497
An act to amend Section 14045.15 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.
[ Approved by Governor September 27, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State September 27, 2026. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 96, Jackson. Mental health services: peer support specialist certification.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income persons receive health care benefits. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law establishes a schedule of benefits under the Medi-Cal program and provides for various services, including behavioral and mental health services that are rendered by Medi-Cal enrolled providers.
Existing law authorizes a county, or an agency representing the county, to develop a peer support specialist certification program, subject to department approval. Existing law imposes specified requirements on applicants for certification as a peer support specialist, including that the applicant be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
This bill would remove the requirement of possessing a high school diploma or equivalent degree from the requirements necessary for an applicant to receive certification.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 14045.15 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:14045.15.
(a) To receive a certification under this article, an applicant shall meet all of the following requirements:(1) Be at least 18 years of age.
(2) Be self-identified as having experience with the process of recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder either as a consumer of these services or as the parent or family member of the consumer.
(3) Be willing to share their experience.
(4) Have a strong dedication to recovery.
(5) Agree, in writing, to adhere to a code of ethics.
(6) Successfully complete the curriculum and training requirements for a peer support specialist.
(7) Pass a certification examination approved by the department for a peer support specialist.
(b) To maintain certification under this article, a certified peer support specialist shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1) Adhere to the code of ethics and biennially sign an affirmation.
(2) Complete any required continuing education, training, and recertification requirements.
Text of AB 96 as chaptered, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions