Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act
- Bill Number
- S. 906
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-06: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-30T11:03:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 906: Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act
Purpose
This bill aims to improve mental health support for secondary school students by establishing a temporary pilot program. It directs the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use (part of the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS) to fund and oversee evidence-based peer support activities, where trained students help peers identify and address mental health and substance use issues early, while promoting resilience.
Key Provisions
- Pilot Program Structure: The Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, can award competitive grants within existing programs to eligible entities to implement peer support in secondary schools (grades 9-12, as defined under federal education law).
- Eligibility Requirements: Eligible entities include states, local governments, territories, Indian Tribes, or Tribal organizations. Applicants must submit a plan describing how they will measure and evaluate the program's impact on student mental health.
- Allowed Uses of Funds:
- Train students, adult supervisors, and others to spot early signs of mental health or substance use challenges, respond effectively, and provide recovery support to reduce risks and build resilience.
- Activities must occur in secondary schools and be overseen by a school-based mental health professional (e.g., a counselor or psychologist).
- Student education records are protected under FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law safeguarding student privacy).
- Evaluation and Reporting: HHS must evaluate the program by measuring participation rates, describing trainings and activities, assessing effects on student mental health outcomes, and comparing its effectiveness in linking students to professional services against other methods. Results will be reported to relevant congressional committees.
- Technical Assistance: HHS and the Department of Education will provide guidance to applicants and recipients, including sharing best practices for peer support programs.
- Other Rules: Certain restrictions from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, a major federal education law) apply to funded entities, but one provision on religious activities is waived. The program sunsets (ends) on September 30, 2029.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new pilot program without amending existing statutes directly. It builds on current federal mental health and education frameworks by adding targeted funding for student-led peer support, which was not previously mandated. It integrates protections like FERPA and ESEA rules but creates a streamlined, temporary initiative to test innovative approaches in schools.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS and the Department of Education will need to allocate resources for grant administration, evaluation, technical assistance, and reporting, potentially straining budgets if not funded through existing programs. It encourages collaboration between health and education sectors.
- Citizens: Secondary school students may gain better access to early mental health support through peers, potentially improving outcomes like reduced stigma, faster connections to professional help, and stronger resilience. Schools and communities could see indirect benefits, such as fewer untreated mental health issues.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic education and health policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Students in Secondary Schools: Primary beneficiaries, as they participate in or receive peer support for mental health and substance use challenges.
- Schools and Educators: Responsible for implementing programs under professional oversight; may need to integrate training into school operations.
- State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments: Eligible for funding to run programs, requiring them to apply, evaluate, and report progress.
- Mental Health Professionals: Oversee activities and connect students to services, potentially increasing their workload.
- Federal Agencies: HHS leads implementation and evaluation; Department of Education provides consultation and technical support.
- Congressional Committees: Receive reports to inform future policy on youth mental health.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces student privacy through FERPA, ensuring records from peer activities are confidential. The rule of construction applies ESEA safeguards (e.g., on funding uses) but exempts one clause, allowing flexibility without altering core protections. As a pilot, it emphasizes evidence-based practices, which could influence future regulations if successful.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it aligns with federal authority over interstate commerce and spending for public health and education, without infringing on state rights or free speech.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (by Senators Hickenlooper and Murkowski) signals broad support for youth mental health amid rising concerns post-pandemic. The sunset clause allows Congress to assess and extend or modify based on evaluation, promoting data-driven policymaking rather than permanent mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-06: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-03-06: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act — issued 2025-03-06 — PDF (5 pages)