§21-18-2. Peer support teams.

(a) An employer or organization that appoints a peer support team may designate any of the following individuals as an advisor to ensure team members are appropriately trained and are providing proper peer support services:

(1) An individual licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery by the state medical board, including such an individual who has satisfactorily completed a residency training program in psychiatry;

(2) An individual licensed under §30-21-10 of this code to practice psychology;

(3) A advanced practice registered nurse as defined in section §30-7-1 of this code who holds a psychiatric-mental health credential issued by the American nurses credentialing center or a successor organization;

(4) A licensed professional clinical counselor or licensed professional counselor authorized to practice under §30-31-1 et seq. of this code;

(5) A licensed independent social worker or licensed social worker authorized to practice under §30-30-1 et seq. of this code.

(b) To receive the testimonial privilege established under §57-3-11 of this code, a peer support team member must complete not less than eight hours of initial basic peer support training and additional training or refreshers at least quarterly.

(c) The training required for a peer support team member shall include the following topics:

(1) An introduction to peer support services and basic peer support skills;

(2) Understanding and identifying the risk factors of mental health problems for the peer support team member's peers;

(3) Understanding confidentiality and privacy for privileged communications;

(4) Identifying local mental health support resources;

(5) Understanding the importance of engaged communication, listening, and conflict resolution in the context of providing peer support services.