Bill > S195

Introduced Session

Mental Health in Schools Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise a community children and violence program to assist local communities and schools in applying a public health approach to mental health services, including by: (1) revising eligibility requirements for a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement; and (2) providing for comprehensive school mental health programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, trauma-informed, and age appropriate. Requires a comprehensive school mental health program funded under this Act to assist children in dealing with trauma and violence. Makes only a partnership between a local educational agency and at least one community program or agency that is involved in mental health eligible for such funding. Sets forth assurances required for eligibility, including that: (1) the local education agency will enter into a memorandum of understanding with at least one relevant community-based entity that clearly states the responsibilities of each partner; (2) the program will include training of all school personnel, family members of children with mental health disorders, and concerned members of the community; and (3) the program will demonstrate the measures to be taken to sustain the program after funding terminates. Requires grantees to comply with the health information privacy requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Requires the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop a fiscally appropriate process for evaluating grant program activities, including: (1) the development of guidelines for the submission of program data by recipients; and (2) the development of measures of outcomes to be applied by recipients in evaluating programs, to include student and family measures and local educational measures.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Al Franken (D)*,  Max Baucus (D),  Mark Begich (D),  Richard Blumenthal (D),  Sherrod Brown (D),  Ben Cardin (D),  Chris Coons (D),  Dick Durbin (D),  Kirsten Gillibrand (D),  Martin Heinrich (D),  Mazie Hirono (D),  Tim Johnson (D),  Mary Landrieu (D),  Jeff Merkley (D),  Chris Murphy (D),  John Rockefeller (D),  Bernie Sanders (I),  Brian Schatz (D),  Chuck Schumer (D),  Debbie Stabenow (D),  Jon Tester (D),  Tom Udall (D),  Elizabeth Warren (D), 

Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism. Hearings held. (on 12/09/2014)