; (5) supporting peer support specialists with ongoing professional development and retention activities; and (6) developing recommendations on creating career pathways for peer support specialists. (d) Functions Beginning on the date of enactment of this section, the functions of the Office shall include the responsibilities described in subsection (c) and the functions of the Office of Recovery of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on the day before such date of enactment, including all of its personnel, assets, authorities, obligations, and liabilities, except as otherwise specified in this section. (e) Definition of peer support specialist In this section, the term peer support specialist has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support Act . 5. Research and recommendations on criminal background check process for peer support specialists (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary ), in coordination with the Attorney General, shall develop a report on research and recommendations with respect to criminal background check processes for individuals becoming peer support specialists. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a summary of evidence-informed literature on the effectiveness of peer support specialists in improving the mental health and the substance use disorder recovery of other individuals; (2) a survey of each State's laws (including regulations) that contain criminal background check requirements for serving as a peer support specialist, including— (A) an analysis of criminal offenses that are included in State laws (including regulations) that prevent individuals from earning a peer support specialist certification or from practicing as a peer support specialist