[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 711 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 711
To amend section 520J of the Public Health Service Act to authorize
grants for mental health first aid training programs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 11, 2015
Ms. Ayotte (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Reed, Mr.
Rubio, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Portman, Mr. Coons, Mr. Heller, Ms. Heitkamp,
and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice
and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend section 520J of the Public Health Service Act to authorize
grants for mental health first aid training programs.
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 ``Mental Health First Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING GRANTS.
Section 520J of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-41)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 520J. MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING GRANTS.
``(a) Grants.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator,
shall award grants to States, political subdivisions of States, Indian
tribes, tribal organizations, and nonprofit private entities to
initiate and sustain mental health first aid training programs.
``(b) Program Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible for funding under
subsection (a), a mental health first aid training program
shall--
``(A) be designed to train individuals in the
categories listed in paragraph (2) to accomplish the
objectives described in paragraph (3);
``(B) ensure that training is conducted by trainers
that are properly licensed and credentialed by
nonprofit entities as designated by the Secretary; and
``(C) include--
``(i) at a minimum--
``(I) a core live training course
for individuals in the categories
listed in paragraph (2) on the skills,
resources, and knowledge to assist
individuals in crisis to connect with
appropriate local mental health care
services;
``(II) training on mental health
resources, including the location of
community mental health centers
described in section 1913(c), in the
State and local community; and
``(III) training on action plans
and protocols for referral to such
resources; and
``(ii) where feasible, continuing education
and updated training for individuals in the
categories listed in paragraph (2).
``(2) Categories of individual to be trained.--The
categories of individuals listed in this paragraph are the
following:
``(A) Emergency services personnel and other first
responders.
``(B) Police officers and other law enforcement
personnel.
``(C) Teachers and school administrators.
``(D) Human resources professionals.
``(E) Nurses and other primary care personnel.
``(F) Students enrolled in an elementary school, a
secondary school, or an institution of higher
education.
``(G) The parents of students described in
subparagraph (F).
``(H) Veterans and veteran stakeholders, including
family members and caregivers, members of veteran peer
support networks, and veteran service organizations.
``(I) Other individuals, audiences or training
populations as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
``(3) Objectives of training.--To be eligible for funding
under subsection (a), a mental health first aid training
program shall be designed to train individuals in the
categories listed in paragraph (2) to accomplish each of the
following objectives (as appropriate for the individuals to be
trained, taking into consideration their age):
``(A) Safe de-escalation of crisis situations.
``(B) Recognition of the signs and symptoms of
mental illness, including such common psychiatric
conditions as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major
clinical depression, and anxiety disorders.
``(C) Timely referral to mental health services in
the early stages of developing mental disorders in
order to--
``(i) avoid more costly subsequent
behavioral health care; and
``(ii) enhance the effectiveness of mental
health services.
``(c) Distribution of Awards.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall--
``(1) ensure that grants are equitably distributed among
the geographical regions of the United States; and
``(2) pay particular attention to the mental health
training needs of populations and target audiences residing in
rural areas.
``(d) Application.--A State, political subdivision of a State,
Indian tribe, tribal organization, or nonprofit private entity that
desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require, including a plan for the rigorous
evaluation of activities that are carried out with funds received under
such grant.
``(e) Evaluation.--A State, political subdivision of a State,
Indian tribe, tribal organization, or nonprofit private entity that
receives a grant under this section shall prepare and submit an
evaluation to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require,
including an evaluation of activities carried out with funds received
under such grant and a process and outcome evaluation.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal year
2016, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2017
and 2018.''.
<all>