Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5353
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-15: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:51:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act aims to establish a temporary pilot program to promote mental health among secondary school students through peer support activities. It focuses on evidence-based strategies to help students identify, respond to, and recover from mental health and substance use challenges while building resilience.
Key Provisions
- Pilot Program Implementation: The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use (part of the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS) must consult with the Secretary of Education and, where appropriate, run a pilot program within an existing HHS initiative. This involves making competitive awards to eligible entities to fund peer support activities in secondary schools (high schools and equivalent institutions for students typically aged 14-18).
- Eligibility Requirements: Awards go to states, local governments, U.S. territories, Indian Tribes, or Tribal organizations. Applicants must submit a plan detailing how they will track and evaluate improvements in student mental health.
- Use of Funds: Recipients can use grants to run peer support programs in secondary schools, including training for students, adult supervisors, and others. Training emphasizes early detection of mental health issues, risk reduction, and recovery support. All activities must be supervised by a school-based mental health professional (e.g., a counselor or psychologist).
- Privacy Protections: Student education records collected under the program are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that safeguards the privacy of student information.
- Evaluation and Reporting: HHS must evaluate the program's effectiveness, covering participation rates, training details, impacts on student mental health, and how well it connects students to professional services compared to other methods. A report on findings must be submitted to relevant Senate and House committees (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce).
- Technical Assistance: HHS, with the Department of Education, will offer guidance to applicants and recipients, including sharing best practices for peer support programs.
- Rule of Construction: The program follows certain rules from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) regarding the involvement of non-school personnel in school activities, but exempts a provision that might restrict certain community involvement.
- Duration: The program sunsets (ends) on September 30, 2029.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new pilot program under HHS authority, building on but not altering core existing laws like ESEA or FERPA. It adds specific requirements for peer-led mental health support in schools, including mandatory professional oversight and evaluations, which were not previously mandated at the federal level for such activities. The exemption from one ESEA clause allows broader community or peer involvement without prior restrictions.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS and the Department of Education will need to allocate resources for program administration, awards, evaluations, and technical assistance, potentially integrating this into broader mental health initiatives. Congressional committees will review outcomes, influencing future funding.
- Citizens: Secondary school students may gain better access to peer-based mental health support, potentially improving early intervention and reducing stigma around mental health issues. Schools and communities could see enhanced training and resilience-building efforts.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. education and health systems.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Students in Secondary Schools: Primary beneficiaries, through access to peer support and professional connections.
- Educational Institutions: Schools must host and oversee programs, involving teachers, counselors, and administrators.
- State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments: Eligible for funding and responsible for implementation and evaluation.
- Mental Health Professionals: Provide oversight and may see increased referrals from peer programs.
- Federal Agencies: HHS leads the effort, with Education Department support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces FERPA privacy standards, ensuring student data protection, and ties into ESEA by adapting school involvement rules without violating core education privacy or funding principles. The competitive grant process promotes accountability through evaluations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federal spending powers under the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) for public health and education, without infringing on state rights, as participation is voluntary for states and localities.
- Political: As a bipartisan bill (introduced by Reps. Beyer and Kelly), it signals congressional priority on youth mental health post-pandemic. The sunset clause allows testing without long-term commitment, potentially informing future permanent legislation if evaluations show success. Referred to multiple committees, it may face scrutiny on funding sources and evidence requirements.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-15: 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.
- 2025-09-15: 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.
- 2025-09-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (5 pages)