[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8422 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8422
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to establish programs for the provision of mental health
services to individuals affected by a major disaster, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 16, 2024
Ms. Balint (for herself and Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland
Security, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to establish programs for the provision of mental health
services to individuals affected by a major disaster, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mental Health Emergency Needs in
Disasters Act''.
SEC. 2. ASSISTANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AFTER MAJOR DISASTER.
Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 431. MOBILE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES.
``(a) In General.--The President, acting through the Administrator
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is authorized to provide
mental and behavioral health counseling services to victims of a major
disaster in order to relieve mental health problems caused or
aggravated by such major disaster or the aftermath of such disaster.
``(b) Type of Assistance.--The provision of behavioral counseling
services under this section shall be provided through mobile mental
health crisis units and such units shall--
``(1) be deployed to counties located in the area affected
by a major disaster for not more than 2 years after the date on
which the President declared such major disaster;
``(2) be staffed by individuals who--
``(A) are employees of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency;
``(B) are appropriately trained to--
``(i) address the effects of major
disasters on communities and individuals with
socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds;
and
``(ii) provide culturally appropriate care;
``(C) are professionally trained and appropriately
licensed to provide evidence-based care, such as
psychological first aid, crisis counseling, sudden
death counseling, and counseling to individuals with
post-traumatic stress disorder; and
``(D) to the extent practicable, have experience
providing mental health services in the area affected
by the major disaster; and
``(3) disperse information about resources, other
preventive materials, and available peer supports.
``(c) Technical Assistance.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator may consult with and receive technical assistance or
training from the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
``(d) Timing.--The Administrator shall ensure that mobile mental
health crisis units described in subsection (b) are deployed
immediately following a major disaster.
``SEC. 432. MENTAL HEALTH DISASTER GRANTS.
``(a) In General.--The President, acting through the Administrator
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is authorized to provide
grants to a State or Indian tribal government for the purpose of
providing behavioral health treatment, including screening and
diagnosis, crisis counseling, other related crisis helplines, or other
service-delivery programs to individuals affected by a major disaster.
``(b) Eligibility.--A State or Indian tribal government may only
receive a grant under this section during the 2-year period beginning
on the date on which the President declares the major disaster for
which the State or Indian tribal government applies for such grant.
``(c) Application.--Any State or Indian tribal government seeking a
grant under this section shall submit to the Administrator an
application containing materials describing any mental health services
available to individuals in the jurisdiction of the State or Indian
tribal government, including an initial needs assessment describing
unmet mental health service needs, and critical gaps in mental and
substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support
service systems.
``(d) Prioritization.--In providing grants under this section, the
Administrator shall prioritize awarding grants to States or Indian
tribal governments with jurisdiction over areas that have high unmet
needs for mental health services.
``(e) Technical Assistance.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator may consult with and receive technical assistance or
training from the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $44,000,000 for each fiscal
year.''.
SEC. 3. RESEARCH ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AFTER
MAJOR DISASTER.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall establish a research program on the effects of
major disasters (as such term is defined in section 102 of the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5122)) on incidences and severity of mental health disorders, substance
use disorders, and alcohol use disorders, including the incidence and
severity of such disorders across cultural, racial, and socioeconomic
groups.
(b) Requirements.--The program established under subsection (a)
shall include research on--
(1) efficacy of assistance provided under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.);
(2) the various long-term behavioral health effects on
adults and children caused by specific types of major
disasters; and
(3) any other subject that the Administrator determines is
necessary.
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