COVID–19 Behavioral Health Support Act

II 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. 4059 To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States, political subdivisions of States, Indian Tribes and Tribal orga- nizations, community-based entities, and primary care and behavioral health organizations to address behavioral health needs caused by the public health emergency declared with respect to COVID–19. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JUNE 24, 2020 Ms. SMITH (for herself and Ms. MURKOWSKI) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Edu- cation, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States, political subdivisions of States, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, community-based entities, and primary care and behavioral health organi- zations to address behavioral health needs caused by the public health emergency declared with respect to COVID–19. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:49 Jul 08, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S4059.IS S4059 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 •S 4059 IS SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 1 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘COVID–19 Behavioral 2 Health Support Act’’. 3 SEC. 2. GRANTS TO SUPPORT INCREASED BEHAVIORAL 4 HEALTH NEEDS DUE TO COVID–19. 5 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 6 Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use, 7 shall award grants to States, political subdivisions of 8 States, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, commu- 9 nity-based entities, and primary care and behavioral 10 health organizations to address behavioral health needs 11 caused by the public health emergency declared pursuant 12 to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 13 247d) with respect to COVID–19. 14 (b) USE OF FUNDS.—An entity that receives a grant 15 under subsection (a) may use funds received through such 16 grant to— 17 (1) increase behavioral health treatment and 18 prevention capacity, including to— 19 (A) promote coordination among local enti- 20 ties; 21 (B) train the behavioral health workforce, 22 relevant stakeholders, and community members; 23 (C) upgrade technology to support effective 24 delivery of health care services through tele- 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:49 Jul 08, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S4059.IS S4059 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 3 •S 4059 IS health modalities, including the purchase of 1 telehealth equipment; 2 (D) purchase medical supplies and equip- 3 ment for behavioral health treatment entities, 4 providers, and patients; 5 (E) address and support surge capacity for 6 behavioral health needs (such as through mobile 7 units), including the purchasing of supplies and 8 equipment; 9 (F) promote collaboration between primary 10 care and mental health providers; and 11 (G) cover overhead costs, including rent 12 and utility costs; and 13 (2) support or enhance behavioral health serv- 14 ices, including— 15 (A) emergency crisis intervention, includ- 16 ing mobile crisis units, 24/7 crisis call centers, 17 and medically staffed crisis stabilization pro- 18 grams; 19 (B) screening, assessment, diagnosis, and 20 treatment; 21 (C) mental health awareness trainings; 22 (D) evidence-based suicide prevention; 23 (E) evidence-based integrated care models; 24 (F) community recovery and peer supports; 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:49 Jul 08, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S4059.IS S4059 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 4 •S 4059 IS (G) outreach to underserved and minority 1 communities; and 2 (H) support for front line health care 3 workers. 4 (c) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall give priority to 5 applicants that are— 6 (1) culturally specific organizations, Tribal be- 7 havioral health and substance use disorder providers, 8 or organizations that are intentional about serving 9 populations where COVID–19 has had the most im- 10 pact; or 11 (2) proposing to serve areas with a high num- 12 ber of COVID–19 cases. 13 (d) EVALUATION.—An entity that receives a grant 14 under this section shall prepare and submit an evaluation 15 to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and con- 16 taining such information as the Secretary may reasonably 17 require, including— 18 (1) an evaluation of activities carried out with 19 funds received through the grant; and 20 (2) a process and outcome evaluation. 21 (e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry 22 out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated 23 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:49 Jul 08, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S4059.IS S4059 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 5 •S 4059 IS $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021, to 1 remain available until expended. 2 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:49 Jul 08, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\S4059.IS S4059 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS