Relates to establishing a peer support program for veterans
S 4013 creates a state-funded peer support program for veterans, specifically targeting women veterans through regional or county-based services. It establishes credentialing requirements for veteran peer counselors (veterans with relevant training) and mandates state agencies to develop programs offering mental health support, substance abuse counseling, family services, and legal assistance. The bill requires the mental hygiene commissioner, addiction services agency, and veterans' services department to create training pathways and certification standards for peer counselors. This policy directly affects veterans seeking mental health and substance use support by connecting them with certified peers who share military service experience.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 31, 2025
Last action May 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
S4013
→
S4013A
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to broaden the definition of who qualifies as a 'veteran' to include individuals with specific qualifying conditions and discharged LGBT veterans. The program's focus shifted from exclusively serving women veterans to all veterans, and the requirements for peer counselors were changed from strict certification to recommended qualifications, removing the mandate for professional licensing.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a program specifically for women veterans to a general peer support program for all veterans.
ELIGIBILITY
The definition of 'veteran' was updated to include persons with qualifying conditions under state law and discharged LGBT veterans, in addition to standard active duty service members.
SCOPE
The requirement to establish peer support services was limited to women veterans and was removed to apply the program to all veterans.
REQUIREMENT
The mandate for issuing official credentials for peer counselors was replaced with a requirement to establish and publish recommended minimum qualifications.
The bill now explicitly states that serving as a peer counselor does not require professional credentials, licensing, or specific training.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
May 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 4013A
upper
May 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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