Mental Health Career Promotion Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7394
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25T17:10:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Mental Health Career Promotion Act aims to address shortages in the mental and behavioral health workforce by funding programs that encourage high school and community college students to pursue careers in this field. It seeks to increase awareness, provide hands-on experiences, and build a diverse pipeline of professionals to support mental health treatment and recovery.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program Establishment: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, must create the Mental and Behavioral Health Career Promotion Grant Program. This program awards grants to eligible partnerships to start or expand career promotion initiatives in schools (grades 9-12) served by local educational agencies (LEAs, like school districts) or in public junior/community colleges.
- Eligible Entities: Grants go to partnerships that include:
- One or more LEAs, a consortium of LEAs, or a state educational agency (SEA).
- One or more public junior or community colleges, or a consortium of them.
- At least one community-based mental or behavioral health provider (e.g., clinics, treatment programs, or nonprofit associations) or other entity (e.g., behavioral health authorities, human service agencies, child welfare agencies, or institutions like historically Black colleges and universities).
- Eligible Activities: Programs must promote mental and behavioral health careers through:
- Educational presentations to build knowledge and exposure.
- Internships, externships, shadowing opportunities with professionals.
- Mentorships and experiential learning.
- Partnerships with higher education institutions and community organizations.
- All activities must be appropriate for the students' age (developmentally), language, and cultural background.
- Grant Terms: Awards last 5 years and can be renewed; the program prioritizes geographical diversity; HHS may offer technical assistance to high-need schools and colleges.
- Evaluation and Reporting: HHS must develop an evaluation process, provide guidelines and outcome measures (e.g., impacts on students, families, and schools), require annual reports from grantees, and submit annual reports to Congress on program effectiveness. Grantees can use no more than 10% of funds for data collection and assessment.
- Definitions:
- "Careers in mental and behavioral health" include roles like physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, peer support specialists, and community health workers focused on treating or supporting recovery from mental or behavioral disorders.
- Key terms (e.g., LEA, SEA, high-need LEA, junior or community college) draw from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Higher Education Act.
- Funding: Authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Subpart 3 of Part B of Title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-31 et seq.) by adding a new section (Sec. 520O). It introduces a dedicated grant program focused on career promotion in mental and behavioral health, which did not previously exist in this form. No other existing laws are directly altered; it builds on frameworks from education statutes without overriding them.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS gains responsibility for administering grants, evaluations, and reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload but also enhancing federal support for mental health initiatives. Educational agencies (LEAs, SEAs) and colleges may see new funding opportunities to integrate career programs.
- Citizens: High school and community college students, especially in underserved or high-need areas, gain access to career exposure, potentially leading to more diverse entrants into mental health professions. This could improve access to mental health services nationwide by growing the workforce.
- International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is domestic-focused on U.S. education and health systems.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Students and Youth: Primarily grades 9-12 students and those in public junior/community colleges, who benefit from career promotion activities.
- Educational Institutions: LEAs, SEAs, public junior/community colleges, and higher education entities (including historically Black colleges and universities) involved in partnerships and program delivery.
- Mental Health Providers and Community Organizations: Clinics, treatment programs, nonprofits, peer support groups, and agencies (e.g., child welfare, human services) that partner to provide expertise and opportunities.
- Federal Government: HHS, particularly the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, oversees implementation; Congress receives evaluations.
- Families and Local Communities: Indirectly affected through improved student outcomes and potential long-term mental health service availability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill aligns with existing federal authority under the Public Health Service Act to fund health workforce development. It incorporates definitions from education laws for consistency but imposes no new mandates on states or localities, relying on voluntary grant applications. Evaluation requirements ensure accountability without creating enforceable rights for grantees.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it involves standard federal spending power for grants, respecting state and local education roles under the 10th Amendment.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in addressing the mental health crisis (e.g., post-pandemic needs, substance use disorders) by investing in workforce pipelines. The focus on diversity, cultural appropriateness, and high-need areas could appeal to equity advocates, while the $50 million authorization signals modest but targeted federal commitment without broad entitlement expansions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-02-05: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Mental Health Career Promotion Act — issued 2026-02-05 — PDF (8 pages)