1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Peer-Support Specialist Act of 2017 . 2. Report on best practices for peer-Support specialist programs, training, and certification (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Congress and make publicly available a report on best practices and professional standards in States for— (1) establishing and operating health care programs using peer-support specialists; and (2) training and certifying peer-support specialists. (b) Peer-Support specialist defined In this subsection, the term peer-support specialist means an individual who— (1) (A) uses his or her lived experience of recovery from mental illness or a substance use disorder, plus skills learned in formal training, to facilitate support groups, and to work on a one-on-one basis, with individuals with a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder; (B) has benefitted or is benefitting from mental health or substance use treatment services or supports; (C) provides non-medical services; and (D) performs services only within his or her area of training, expertise, competence, or scope of practice; (2) (A) uses his or her lived experience as the parent or caregiver of an individual with mental illness or a substance use disorder, plus skills learned in formal training, to facilitate support groups, and to work on a one-on-one basis, with individuals with a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder; (B) provides non-medical services; and (C) performs services only within his or her area of training, expertise, competence, or scope of practice