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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5353 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5353
To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a
pilot program to support evidence-based mental health peer support
activities for students.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 15, 2025
Mr. Beyer (for himself and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce,
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a
pilot program to support evidence-based mental health peer support
activities for students.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Peer to Peer Mental Health Support
Act''.
SEC. 2. PEER-TO-PEER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.
(a) In General.--The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and
Substance Use (referred to in this section as the ``Assistant
Secretary''), in consultation with the Secretary of Education, may, as
appropriate and within a relevant existing program, carry out a pilot
program and make awards, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities
to support evidence-based mental health peer support activities for
students enrolled in secondary schools (as such term is defined in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801)).
(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an award under this
section, an entity shall--
(1) be a State, political subdivision of a State,
territory, or Indian Tribe or Tribal organization (as such
terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); and
(2) submit to the Assistant Secretary an application at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as
the Assistant Secretary may require, including a description of
how the entity will measure and evaluate progress of the
program in improving student mental health outcomes.
(c) Use of Amounts.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), an eligible
entity may use amounts provided under this section to implement
or operate evidence-based mental health peer support activities
in 1 or more secondary schools (as such term is defined in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) within the jurisdiction of such eligible
entity, which may include providing training, as appropriate,
to students, adult supervisors, and other appropriate
individuals to improve the early identification of, response
to, and recovery supports for mental health and substance use
challenges, reduce associated risks, and promote resiliency.
(2) Program oversight.--An eligible entity shall ensure
that mental health peer support activities under paragraph (1)
are overseen by a school-based mental health professional.
(3) FERPA.--Any education records of the student collected
or maintained under this section shall have the protections
provided in section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act
(20 U.S.C. 1232g).
(d) Evaluation; Report.--
(1) Evaluation.--The Assistant Secretary shall carry out an
evaluation to measure the efficacy of the program under this
section. The evaluation shall--
(A) measure participation rates in mental health
peer support activities, including any associated
trends;
(B) describe the specific trainings provided, or
other activities carried out under the pilot program;
(C) assess whether such mental health peer support
activities impacted mental health outcomes of
participating students; and
(D) measure the effectiveness of the pilot program
in connecting students to professional mental health
services compared to other evidence-based strategies.
(2) Report.--The Assistant Secretary shall prepare and
submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and
Commerce and Education and Workforce of the House of
Representatives a report containing the results of the
evaluation conducted under paragraph (1).
(e) Technical Assistance.--The Assistant Secretary, in coordination
with the Secretary of Education, shall provide technical assistance to
eligible entities applying for and receiving an award under this
section, including the identification and dissemination of best
practices for mental health peer support programs for students.
(f) Rule of Construction.--Section 4001 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101) shall apply to an
entity receiving a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this
section in the same manner as such section applies to an entity
receiving funding under title IV of such Act, except that section
4001(a)(2)(B)(i) of such Act shall not apply.
(g) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on September 30, 2029.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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