Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 5733
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5733Health
Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act
INTRO OCT 10· LAST ACTION OCT 10
READING
7MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
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This bill matters because it tackles a major problem in the U.S.: too many people struggle to find affordable and accessible mental health care. If this bill becomes law, it could significantly expand the number of mental health support professionals, particularly in underserved communities, making it easier for people to get basic help for issues like anxiety or substance use. This could lead to earlier detection and intervention for mental health conditions, potentially preventing them from becoming more severe.
If the bill doesn't pass, many communities would likely continue to face long waits, high costs, and a lack of culturally appropriate mental health services. This means people might continue to suffer without support, which can worsen their health outcomes and impact their quality of life. By creating a new workforce focused on community mental wellness, the bill aims to bridge existing gaps in the mental health care system and bring services closer to those who need them most.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible organizations to establish programs for training community mental wellness workers.
This creates the funding mechanism to build a new workforce aimed at increasing mental health service access.
PROVISION 02
Specifies that grant funds can be used for training, certification, and supervision of workers to screen for mental health/substance use conditions and provide culturally competent counseling interventions, including suicide risk reduction.
This outlines the key skills and services these new workers will provide, directly addressing common mental health needs.
PROVISION 03
Requires the Secretary to prioritize grant applications from organizations in areas with high poverty, unemployment, substance use rates, medically underserved communities, or high numbers of dually eligible Medicare/Medicaid individuals.
This ensures resources are directed to communities most in need of expanded mental health services.
PROVISION 04
Extends federal liability protections to community mental wellness workers and their organizations for actions taken while participating in the grant program.
This helps mitigate legal risks for workers and organizations, encouraging participation in the program.
PROVISION 05
Mandates that the Secretary provide technical assistance to grant recipients and submit interim and final reports to Congress on the program's results.
This supports effective program implementation and provides accountability for federal funding and outcomes.
This bill matters because it tackles a major problem in the U.S.: too many people struggle to find affordable and accessible mental health care. If this bill becomes law, it could significantly expand the number of mental health support professionals, particularly in underserved communities, making it easier for people to get basic help for issues like anxiety or substance use. This could lead to earlier detection and intervention for mental health conditions, potentially preventing them from becoming more severe.
If the bill doesn't pass, many communities would likely continue to face long waits, high costs, and a lack of culturally appropriate mental health services. This means people might continue to suffer without support, which can worsen their health outcomes and impact their quality of life. By creating a new workforce focused on community mental wellness, the bill aims to bridge existing gaps in the mental health care system and bring services closer to those who need them most.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible organizations to establish programs for training community mental wellness workers.
This creates the funding mechanism to build a new workforce aimed at increasing mental health service access.
high
Specifies that grant funds can be used for training, certification, and supervision of workers to screen for mental health/substance use conditions and provide culturally competent counseling interventions, including suicide risk reduction.
This outlines the key skills and services these new workers will provide, directly addressing common mental health needs.
high
Requires the Secretary to prioritize grant applications from organizations in areas with high poverty, unemployment, substance use rates, medically underserved communities, or high numbers of dually eligible Medicare/Medicaid individuals.
This ensures resources are directed to communities most in need of expanded mental health services.
med
Extends federal liability protections to community mental wellness workers and their organizations for actions taken while participating in the grant program.
This helps mitigate legal risks for workers and organizations, encouraging participation in the program.
med
Mandates that the Secretary provide technical assistance to grant recipients and submit interim and final reports to Congress on the program's results.
This supports effective program implementation and provides accountability for federal funding and outcomes.
Not later than one year after the date of enactment.
Interim report on the results of the grant program to Congress.
Not later than the end of fiscal year 2030.
Final report on the results of the grant program to Congress.
Beginning with the first full fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment.
Applicability of malpractice and negligence provisions for covered entities.
GLOSSARY
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Secretary
Refers to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the head of the U.S. government department responsible for public health and social services.
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use
A high-ranking official within the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for overseeing federal mental health and substance abuse programs and policies.
Grant
Financial assistance provided by the federal government to an eligible recipient to carry out a public purpose, with no expectation of repayment.
Eligible entity
An organization or group that meets the specific criteria outlined in the bill to qualify for federal grants.
Public Health Service Act
The primary federal law governing public health programs and services in the United States, including those related to mental health and substance use.
Medically underserved community
A geographic area or group of people designated by the federal government as having too few primary care providers, high infant mortality, high poverty, or a high percentage of elderly residents.
Culturally and linguistically competent
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
OCT 10, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
OCT 10, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Providing services in a way that is respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and needs of diverse cultural and linguistic groups, aiming to improve health outcomes.
