_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT adding two licensed behavioral health peer support specialists to the board of behavioral health; and AMENDING SECTION 2-15-1744, MCA."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 2-15-1744, MCA, is amended to read:

"2-15-1744. Board of behavioral health. (1) (a) The governor shall appoint, with the consent of the senate, a board of behavioral health consisting of nine 11 members.

(b) Three members must be licensed social workers, and three must be licensed professional counselors. At least one of these members who is licensed as a social worker or professional counselor must also be licensed as a marriage and family therapist.

(c) One member must be appointed from and represent the general public and may not be engaged in social work.

(d) Two members must be licensed addiction counselors.

(e) Two members must be licensed behavioral health peer support specialists.

(2) The board is allocated to the department for administrative purposes only as provided in 2-15-121.

(3) Members shall serve staggered 4-year terms."