I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2906 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 16, 2009 Mr. Moran of Virginia (for himself, Mr. Terry, Mr. Wolf, and Mr. Berman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Public Health Service Act to specifically include problem and pathological gambling in programs of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and to establish a national program to address the harmful consequences of problem gambling.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2009.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)Problem gambling is a public health disorder characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, loss of control, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, and continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences. (2)Over 6,000,000 adults met criteria for a gambling problem last year. (3)The estimated social cost to families and communities from bankruptcy, divorce, job loss, and criminal justice costs associated with problem gambling was $6,700,000,000 last year. (4)Problem gambling is associated with higher incidence of bankruptcy, domestic abuse, and suicide. (5)Problem gamblers have high rates of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. (6)In response to current budget shortfalls, many States are considering or have enacted legislation to expand legal gambling activities with the intent of raising State revenues. (7)The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the lead Federal agency for substance abuse and mental health services. (8)There are no agencies or individuals in the Federal Government with a formal responsibility for problem gambling.

3.

Inclusion of gambling in SAMHSA authorities

Section 501(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa(d)) is amended— (1)by striking and at the end of paragraph (17); (2)by striking the period at the end of paragraph (18) and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following: (19)establish and implement programs for the identification, prevention, and treatment of problem and pathological gambling. .

4.

Public awareness

(a)

In General

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this Act referred to as the Secretary) shall carry out a national campaign to increase knowledge and raise awareness with respect to problem gambling issues within the general public, including supporting and augmenting existing national campaigns and the production and placement of public service announcements. (b)

Voluntary Donations

In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1)administer and coordinate the voluntary donation of resources to assist in the implementation of new programs and the augmentation of existing national campaigns to provide national strategies for dissemination of information intended to address problem gambling from— (A)the television, radio, motion picture, cable communications, and print media; (B)the advertising industry; (C)the business sector of the United States; and (D)professional sports organizations and associations; and (2)encourage media outlets throughout the country to provide information aimed at preventing problem gambling, including public service announcements, documentary films, and advertisements. (c)

Focus

In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall target radio and television audiences of, but not limited to, sporting and gambling events. (d)

Evaluation

In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall evaluate and report to the President and to the Congress on the effectiveness of activities under this section. (e)

Authorization of Appropriations

For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $200,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

5.

Research

(a)

In General

The President shall establish and implement a national program of research on problem gambling. (b)

Coordination

In carrying out this section, the President shall appoint an advisory commission, including individuals not currently employed by the Federal Government, to coordinate the activities of Federal agencies relating to research on problem gambling, including the activities of the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (c)

National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report

In carrying out this section, the President shall consider the recommendations that appear in chapter 8 of the June 18, 1999, report of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. (d)

Authorization of Appropriations

For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

6.

Treatment

(a)

Grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary may make grants to States, local, and tribal governments, and nonprofit agencies to provide comprehensive services with respect to treatment and prevention of problem gambling issues and education about problem gambling issues. (2)

Application for grant

A grant may be made under paragraph (1) only if an application for the grant is submitted to the Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this subsection. (3)

Authorization of appropriations

For the purpose of carrying out this subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014. (b)

Treatment improvement protocol

The President, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, shall develop a treatment improvement protocol specific to problem gambling.

7.

Sense of congress

It is the sense of the Congress that every State should contribute a percentage of its revenue from gambling towards prevention and treatment of problem gambling and towards research services and education about problem gambling.