[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2657 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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115th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2657
To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant
program to create peer support recovery networks, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 12, 2018
Ms. Collins (for herself and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant
program to create peer support recovery networks, 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 ``Opioid Peer Support Networks Act of
2018''.
SEC. 2. OPIOID PEER SUPPORT NETWORKS.
Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290dd
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 550. OPIOID PEER SUPPORT NETWORKS.
``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `peer support network'
means a group of two or more independent nonprofit organizations--
``(1) that mobilizes resources within and outside of the
network to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term
recovery from substance use disorders; and
``(2) for which at least one organization is wholly or
principally governed by `peers' (individuals in recovery for
substance use disorders who reflect the community served).
``(b) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary shall award grants for up
to 3 years to eligible recovery community organizations to enable such
organizations to develop, expand, and enhance recovery services.
``(c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section an entity shall--
``(1) be a recovery community organization; and
``(2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.
``(d) Use of Funds.--Amounts awarded under grants under subsection
(b)--
``(1) shall be used to develop, expand, and enhance non-
clinical community and statewide recovery support services; and
``(2) may be used to--
``(A) build connections between peer support
networks, between recovery community organizations, and
with other recovery support services, including--
``(i) behavioral health providers;
``(ii) primary care providers and
physicians;
``(iii) educational and vocational schools;
``(iv) employers;
``(v) housing services;
``(vi) child welfare agencies;
``(vii) the criminal justice system; and
``(viii) other recovery support services
that facilitate recovery from substance use
disorders; and
``(B) conduct outreach on issues relating to
substance use disorders and recovery, including--
``(i) identifying the signs of addiction;
``(ii) identifying the resources available
to individuals struggling with addiction and to
families with a family member struggling with,
or being treated for, addiction, including
programs that mentor and provide support
services to children;
``(iii) identifying the resources available
to help support individuals in recovery;
``(iv) identifying related medical outcomes
of substance use disorders, the potential of
acquiring an infectious disease from
intravenous drug use, and neonatal abstinence
syndrome among infants exposed to opioids
during pregnancy;
``(v) identifying resources available to
reduce the stigma associated with substance use
disorders; and
``(vi) educating and reinforcing the best
practices in the delivery of recovery support
services.
``(e) Geographic Distribution.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall ensure that not less than 50 percent of
funds are awarded to eligible entities that are not located in
metropolitan statistical areas (as defined by the Office of Management
and Budget). The Secretary shall take into account the unique needs of
rural communities, including communities with a per capita overdose
mortality rate that is above the national average and communities with
a shortage of prevention and treatment services.
``(f) Technical Assistance Center.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary, jointly with the
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse,
through a grant shall establish a National Peer Run Training
and Technical Assistance Center for Addiction Recovery Support
(referred to in this subsection as the `Center').
``(2) Functions.--The Center established under paragraph
(1) shall provide support to the peer support networks
established under this section including--
``(A) training;
``(B) technical assistance;
``(C) evaluations;
``(D) research;
``(E) translation services;
``(F) capacity building products; and
``(G) assistance in navigating the grant
application and renewal process under subsection (b).
``(3) Best practices.--The Center established under
paragraph (1) shall annually issue best practices for use by
peer support networks.
``(g) Data Reporting.--Grant recipients under subsection (b) shall
annually submit data to the Secretary including--
``(1) a description of the programs and activities funded
under the grant;
``(2) a description of the outcomes of individuals who
received services through the programs funded under the grant,
including in housing, employment, health, and wellness; and
``(3) other information requested by the Secretary.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2019 through 2022, of which $15,000,000 for each fiscal year
shall be allocated for the Peer Support Networks under subsection (b)
and $10,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be allocated for the
National Peer Run Training and Technical Assistance Center for
Addiction Recovery Support established under subsection (f).
``(i) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after awarding
the first grant under this section, and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the activities
carried out under this section and containing an evaluation of such
programs, including outstanding challenges and barriers to substance
use recovery, and gaps in peer recovery support services.''.
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