Expanding Mental Health Access for Cyber Command Personnel Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6630
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-08T18:38:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the Expanding Mental Health Access for Cyber Command Personnel Act, aims to improve mental health support for members of the U.S. military's Cyber Mission Force by addressing work-related behavioral health challenges. It directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to implement an initiative that ensures access to qualified behavioral health professionals at secure duty locations.
Key Provisions
- Initiative Implementation: Within one year of enactment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy—working with the Principal Cyber Advisors of the military departments and the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command—must launch a joint initiative. This focuses on occupational resiliency challenges (defined as behavioral health issues tied to job duties and work stress) at Cyber Mission Force locations.
- Assign behavioral health professionals (e.g., counselors or therapists) to U.S. Cyber Command and Cyber Mission Force operating sites.
- Ensure these professionals hold the required security clearances to treat Armed Forces members at those sites.
- Annual Reporting: For three years starting from the initiative's launch, the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy must provide briefings to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. Briefings cover:
- Progress on the initiative.
- Verification of professionals' security clearances.
- Analysis of the severity of mental health issues being treated (clinical acuity).
- Challenges in implementation.
- Efforts to raise awareness among Cyber Mission Force members about available cleared professionals.
- Any other relevant updates.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandates for the DoD, requiring proactive assignment of cleared behavioral health professionals to cyber-specific duty locations. Previously, mental health support in secure environments may have been limited by clearance barriers, but no prior law explicitly targeted the Cyber Mission Force in this way. It builds on general military health policies by adding cyber-focused requirements and congressional oversight through briefings.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DoD, particularly U.S. Cyber Command and personnel offices, will need to allocate resources for hiring, training, and clearing behavioral health professionals, potentially increasing administrative and budgetary demands. This could enhance overall military readiness by reducing stress-related issues in cyber operations.
- On Citizens: Indirect benefits for military families and veterans through improved mental health access for active-duty cyber personnel, potentially lowering long-term healthcare costs for the VA (Veterans Affairs).
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though stronger cyber workforce resiliency could bolster U.S. cybersecurity posture in global operations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Cyber Mission Force Members: Active-duty Armed Forces personnel in cyber roles, who gain better access to mental health treatment without clearance-related delays.
- DoD Leadership and Agencies: Under Secretaries, Cyber Command, and military departments responsible for implementation and reporting.
- Behavioral Health Professionals: Civilian or military experts who must obtain and maintain security clearances for assignment.
- Congressional Committees: Armed Services Committees, which receive oversight briefings to monitor progress.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable requirements under DoD authority, with no apparent conflicts to existing federal laws on military health or privacy (e.g., HIPAA equivalents for cleared environments). The definition of "occupational resiliency challenges" provides clear scope to avoid overreach.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's Article I powers to regulate the military; no First Amendment or privacy concerns raised, as it focuses on voluntary treatment access.
- Political: Signals bipartisan support for military mental health (introduced by Reps. Elfreth and Bacon), potentially influencing future defense budgets. It emphasizes cyber workforce sustainability amid growing national security threats, without partisan controversy evident in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Expanding Mental Health Access for Cyber Command Personnel Act — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (3 pages)