O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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PA 21-36—HB 5677
Public Health Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING TH E AVAILABILITY OF CO MMUNITY
VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES UNDER MEDIC AID
SUMMARY: This act requires the Department of Social Services (DSS)
commissioner to amend the state Medicaid plan to provide coverage for
community violence prevention services for beneficiaries who meet both of the
following criteria. First, they have received medical treatment for an injury
sustained from an act of community violence (i.e., an intentional act of
interpersonal violence committed in public by someone who is not the victim’s
family member or intimate partner). Second, they have also been referred by a
certified or licensed health care provider or social services provider to receive
these services from a “certified violence prevention professional” after the
provider determined the beneficiary is at a higher risk of retaliation or a violent
injury from another act of community violence.
Under the act, the DSS commissioner must do this by July 1, 2022, so long as
(1) federal law permits it; (2) federal financial participation is available; and (3)
any needed federal approval is obtained, including Medicaid waivers or state plan
amendments.
Additionally, the act establishes training requirements for individuals seeking
certification as a “certified violence prevention professional” and requires the
Department of Public Health (DPH), by January 1, 2022, to approve at least one
accredited training and certification program for these professionals. It also
establishes documentation and compliance requirements for entities that employ
or contract with these professionals to provide community violence prevention
services.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
COMMUNITY VIOLENCE P REVENTION SERVICES
The act defines “community violence prevention services” as evidenced-
based, trauma-informed, supportive, and non-psychotherapeutic services provided
by a certified violence prevention professional to:
1. promote improved health outcomes and positive behavioral change,
2. prevent injury recidivism, and
3. reduce the likelihood that victims of community violence will commit or
promote violence themselves.
Under the act, these services may be provided within or outside of a clinical
setting and may include the provision of the following services to community
violence victims: peer support or counseling, mentorship, conflict mediation,
crisis intervention, targeted case management, referrals to certified or licensed O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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health care or social services providers, patient education, or screening services.
CERTIFIED VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROFESSIONALS
Training Requirements
Under the act, a prevention professional (see BACKGROUND) seeking
certification as a certified violence prevention professional must complete a DPH-
approved, accredited training and certification program and maintain the
certification.
Training and Certification Program
The act requires DPH, by January 1, 2022, to approve at least one accredited
training and certification program for certified violence prevention professionals.
The program must include at least 35 hours of initial training and address:
1. the profound effects of trauma and violence and the basics of trauma-
informed care;
2. community violence prevention strategies, including conflict mediation
and retaliation prevention;
3. case management and advocacy practices; and
4. HIPAA’s patient privacy requirements.
Under the act, the program must also include six hours of continuing
education every two years.
Documentation and Compliance
The act requires any entity that employs or contracts with a certified violence
prevention professional to provide community violence prevention services to:
1. maintain documentation that the professional has met the qualifications
listed above and
2. ensure that the professional complies with any applicable state or federal
laws, regulations, rules, or standards of care.
The act also specifies that it does not alter any health care professional’s scope
of practice.
Title Protection
The act prohibits anyone who is not certified as a violence prevention
professional under the act’s requirements from using the title “certified violence
prevention professional” or any title, words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia
indicating or implying that he or she is a certified violence prevention
professional.
BACKGROUND
O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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Prevention Professionals
Prevention professionals work in programs that address specific patient needs,
such as suicide prevention, violence prevention, alcohol and drug avoidance, and
tobacco prevention. They generally complete training specific to the patient
population they work with and work in a variety of settings providing various
services such as case management, provider referral, and mentorship.