ESTABLISHMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR PEER SPECIALIST APPOINTEES.

SEC. 405. ESTABLISHMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR PEER SPECIALIST APPOINTEES.(a) In General.—Section 7402(b) is amended—(1) by redesignating the paragraph (11) relating to other health care positions as paragraph (14); and(2) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following new paragraph (13):“(13) Peer Specialist.—To be eligible to be appointed to a peer specialist position, a person must—“(A) be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition; and“(B) be certified by—“(i) a not-for-profit entity engaged in peer specialist training as having met such criteria as the Secretary shall establish for a peer specialist position; or“(ii) a State as having satisfied relevant State requirements for a peer specialist position.”.(b) Peer Specialist Training.—Section 7402 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:“(g) The Secretary may enter into contracts with not-for-profit entities to provide—“(1) peer specialist training to veterans; and“(2) certification for veterans under subsection (b)(13)(B)(i).”.