PIERRE, S.D. — As peer support continues to play a growing role in addiction treatment, South Dakota lawmakers have approved legislation to regulate the use of the title “peer support specialist.”
House Bill 1029, which passed both the House and Senate, allows the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals to establish competency standards for peer support specialists, people with lived experience who help mentor others struggling with substance use disorder.
“We do this so that consumers know who they’re getting services provided from,” said Jennifer Stalley with the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals. “We also do it for the people who are practicing, so that people who have certain levels of education or experience are using the proper title, and someone who doesn’t is not.”
While specific standards have not yet been finalized, Stalley said fees for peer support specialists will not exceed those currently required for addiction counselor trainees. She said clearly defining the role will help distinguish peer support specialists — who bring lived experience — from other treatment professionals.
“The addition of these peer support specialists is really critical to our mental health system,” said Sen. Tim Reed in support of the bill. “They’re really important folks. Usually they’ve been through the same addiction, so they’re able to help guide people going through the same issues.”
Peer support specialists are already working in communities across the state. Emily’s Hope, for example, currently employs several trained and certified peer support specialists who help patients navigate recovery from substance use disorder.
