[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5469 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5469
To address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 17, 2019
Mrs. Watson Coleman (for herself, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Norton, Mr.
Cleaver, Ms. Omar, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Adams, Mrs.
Hayes, Mr. Horsford, and Ms. Lee of California) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color,
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 ``Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act
of 2019''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS
Sec. 101. Amendments to the Public Health Service Act.
TITLE II--HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Sec. 201. Integrated Health Care Demonstration Program.
Sec. 202. Addressing racial and ethnic minority mental health
disparities research gaps.
Sec. 203. Health professions competencies to address racial and ethnic
minority mental health disparities.
Sec. 204. Racial and ethnic minority behavioral and mental health
outreach and education strategy.
Sec. 205. Additional funds for National Institutes of Health.
Sec. 206. Additional funds for National Institute on Minority Health
and Health Disparities.
TITLE III--OTHER PROVISIONS
Sec. 301. Reauthorization of Minority Fellowship Program.
Sec. 302. Commission on the Effects of Smartphone and Social Media Use
on Adolescents.
Sec. 303. No Federal funds for conversion therapy.
TITLE I--MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS
SEC. 101. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT.
(a) Technical Amendments.--The second part G (relating to services
provided through religious organizations) of title V of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290kk et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating such part as part J; and
(2) by redesignating sections 581 through 584 as sections
596 through 596C, respectively.
(b) School-Based Mental Health and Children.--Section 581 of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290hh) (relating to children and
violence) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 581. SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH; CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the
Secretary of Education, shall, directly or through grants, contracts,
or cooperative agreements awarded to eligible entities described in
subsection (c), assist local communities and schools (including schools
funded by the Bureau of Indian Education) in applying a public health
approach to mental health services both in schools and in the
community. Such approach shall provide comprehensive developmentally
appropriate services and supports that are linguistically and
culturally appropriate and trauma-informed, and incorporate
developmentally appropriate strategies of positive behavioral
interventions and supports. A comprehensive school-based mental health
program funded under this section shall assist children in dealing with
traumatic experiences, grief, bereavement, risk of suicide, and
violence.
``(b) Activities.--Under the program under subsection (a), the
Secretary may--
``(1) provide financial support to enable local communities
to implement a comprehensive culturally and linguistically
appropriate, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate,
school-based mental health program that--
``(A) builds awareness of individual trauma and the
intergenerational, continuum of impacts of trauma on
populations;
``(B) trains appropriate staff to identify, and
screen for, signs of trauma exposure, mental health
disorders, or risk of suicide; and
``(C) incorporates positive behavioral
interventions, family engagement, student treatment,
and multigenerational supports to foster the health and
development of children, prevent mental health
disorders, and ameliorate the impact of trauma;
``(2) provide technical assistance to local communities
with respect to the development of programs described in
paragraph (1);
``(3) provide assistance to local communities in the
development of policies to address child and adolescent trauma
and mental health issues and violence when and if it occurs;
``(4) facilitate community partnerships among families,
students, law enforcement agencies, education agencies, mental
health and substance use disorder service systems, family-based
mental health service systems, child welfare agencies, health
care providers (including primary care physicians, mental
health professionals, and other professionals who specialize in
children's mental health such as child and adolescent
psychiatrists), institutions of higher education, faith-based
programs, trauma networks, and other community-based systems;
and
``(5) establish mechanisms for children and adolescents to
report incidents of violence or plans by other children,
adolescents, or adults to commit violence.
``(c) Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible for a grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement under subsection (a), an entity shall--
``(A) be a partnership that includes--
``(i) a State educational agency, as
defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, in
coordination with one or more local educational
agencies, as defined in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965,
or a consortium of any entities described in
subparagraph (B), (C), (D), or (E) of section
8101(30) of such Act; and
``(ii) in accordance with paragraph
(2)(A)(i), appropriate public or private
entities that employ interventions that are
evidence-based, as defined in section 8101 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965; and
``(B) submit an application, that is endorsed by
all members of the partnership, that--
``(i) specifies which member will serve as
the lead partner; and
``(ii) contains the assurances described in
paragraph (2).
``(2) Required assurances.--An application under paragraph
(1) shall contain assurances as follows:
``(A) The eligible entity will ensure that, in
carrying out activities under this section, the
eligible entity will enter into a memorandum of
understanding--
``(i) with at least 1 community-based
mental health provider, including a public or
private mental health entity, health care
entity, family-based mental health entity,
trauma network, or other community-based
entity, as determined by the Secretary (and
which may include additional entities such as a
human services agency, law enforcement or
juvenile justice entity, child welfare agency,
agency, an institution of higher education, or
another entity, as determined by the
Secretary); and
``(ii) that clearly states--
``(I) the responsibilities of each
partner with respect to the activities
to be carried out, including how family
engagement will be incorporated in the
activities;
``(II) how school-employed and
school-based or community-based mental
health professionals will be utilized
for carrying out such responsibilities;
``(III) how each such partner will
be accountable for carrying out such
responsibilities; and
``(IV) the amount of non-Federal
funding or in-kind contributions that
each such partner will contribute in
order to sustain the program.
``(B) The comprehensive school-based mental health
program carried out under this section supports the
flexible use of funds to address--
``(i) universal prevention, through the
promotion of the social, emotional, mental, and
behavioral health of all students in an
environment that is conducive to learning;
``(ii) selective prevention, through the
reduction in the likelihood of at risk students
developing social, emotional, mental,
behavioral health problems, suicide, or
substance use disorders;
``(iii) the screening for, and early
identification of, social, emotional, mental,
behavioral problems, suicide risk, or substance
use disorders and the provision of early
intervention services;
``(iv) the treatment or referral for
treatment of students with existing social,
emotional, mental, behavioral health problems,
or substance use disorders;
``(v) the development and implementation of
evidence-based programs to assist children who
are experiencing or have been exposed to trauma
and violence, including program curricula,
school supports, and after-school programs; and
``(vi) the development and implementation
of evidence-based programs to assist children
who are grieving, which may include training
for school personnel on the impact of trauma
and bereavement on children, and services to
provide support to grieving children.
``(C) The comprehensive school-based mental health
program carried out under this section will provide for
in-service training of all school personnel, including
ancillary staff and volunteers, in--
``(i) the techniques and supports needed to
promote early identification of children with
trauma histories, children who are grieving,
and children with a mental health disorder or
at risk of developing a mental health disorder,
or who are at risk of suicide;
``(ii) the use of referral mechanisms that
effectively link such children to appropriate
prevention, treatment, and intervention
services in the school and in the community and
to follow-up when services are not available;
``(iii) strategies that promote a school-
wide positive environment, including strategies
to prevent bullying, which includes cyber-
bullying;
``(iv) strategies for promoting the social,
emotional, mental, and behavioral health of all
students; and
``(v) strategies to increase the knowledge
and skills of school and community leaders
about the impact of trauma and violence and on
the application of a public health approach to
comprehensive school-based mental health
programs.
``(D) The comprehensive school-based mental health
program carried out under this section will include
comprehensive training for parents or guardians,
siblings, and other family members of children with
mental health disorders, and for concerned members of
the community in--
``(i) the techniques and supports needed to
promote early identification of children with
trauma histories, children who are grieving,
children with a mental health disorder or at
risk of developing a mental health disorder,
and children who are at risk of suicide;
``(ii) the use of referral mechanisms that
effectively link such children to appropriate
prevention, treatment, and intervention
services in the school and in the community and
follow-up when such services are not available;
and
``(iii) strategies that promote a school-
wide positive environment, including strategies
to prevent bullying, including cyber-bullying.
``(E) The comprehensive school-based mental health
program carried out under this section will demonstrate
the measures to be taken to sustain the program (which
may include seeking funding for the program under a
State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social
Security Act or a waiver of such a plan, or under a
State plan under subpart 1 of part B or part E of title
IV of the Social Security Act).
``(F) The eligible entity is supported by the State
agency with primary responsibility for behavioral
health to ensure that the comprehensive school-based
mental health program carried out under this section
will be sustainable after funding under this section
terminates.
``(G) The comprehensive school-based mental health
program carried out under this section will be
coordinated with early intervening activities carried
out under the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act or activities funded under part A of title IV of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
``(H) The comprehensive school-based mental health
program carried out under this section will be trauma-
informed, evidence-based, and developmentally,
culturally, and linguistically appropriate.
``(I) The comprehensive school-based mental health
program carried out under this section will include a
broad needs assessment of youth who drop out of school
due to policies of `zero tolerance' with respect to
drugs, alcohol, or weapons and an inability to obtain
appropriate services.
``(J) The mental health services provided through
the comprehensive school-based mental health program
carried out under this section will be provided by
qualified mental and behavioral health professionals
who are certified, credentialed, or licensed in
compliance with applicable Federal and State law and
regulations by the State involved and who are
practicing within their area of expertise.
``(K) Students will be permitted to self-refer to
the mental health program for mental health care and
self-consent for mental health crisis care to the
extent permitted by State or other applicable law.
``(3) Coordinator.--Any entity that is a member of a
partnership described in paragraph (1)(A) may serve as the
coordinator of funding and activities under the grant if all
members of the partnership agree.
``(4) Compliance with hipaa.--A grantee under this section
shall be deemed to be a covered entity for purposes of
compliance with the regulations promulgated under section
264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996 with respect to any patient records developed
through activities under the grant.
``(5) Compliance with ferpa.--Section 444 of the General
Education Provisions Act (commonly known as the `Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974') shall apply to any
entity that is a member of the partnership in the same manner
that such section applies to an educational agency or
institution (as that term is defined in such section).
``(d) Priority for Schools With High Poverty Levels.--In awarding
grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this section, the
Secretary shall give highest priority to eligible entities that are
partnerships including one or more public elementary or secondary
schools in which 50.1 percent or more of the students are eligible for
a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act.
``(e) Geographical Distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure that
grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under subsection (a) will
be distributed equitably among the regions of the country and among
urban and rural areas.
``(f) Duration of Awards.--With respect to a grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement under subsection (a), the period during which
payments under such an award will be made to the recipient shall be 5
years, with options for renewal.
``(g) Evaluation and Measures of Outcomes.--
``(1) Development of process.--The Assistant Secretary
shall develop a fiscally appropriate process for evaluating
activities carried out under this section. Such process shall
include--
``(A) the development of guidelines for the
submission of program data by grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement recipients;
``(B) the development of measures of outcomes (in
accordance with paragraph (2)) to be applied by such
recipients in evaluating programs carried out under
this section; and
``(C) the submission of annual reports by such
recipients concerning the effectiveness of programs
carried out under this section.
``(2) Measures of outcomes.--
``(A) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall
develop measures of outcomes to be applied by
recipients of assistance under this section, and the
Assistant Secretary, in evaluating the effectiveness of
programs carried out under this section. Such measures
shall include student and family measures as provided
for in subparagraph (B) and local educational measures
as provided for under subparagraph (C).
``(B) Student and family measures of outcomes.--The
measures for outcomes developed under paragraph (1)(B)
relating to students and families shall, with respect
to activities carried out under a program under this
section, at a minimum include provisions to evaluate
whether the program is effective in--
``(i) increasing social and emotional
competency;
``(ii) improving academic outcomes,
including as measured by proficiency on the
annual assessments under section 1111(b)(2) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965;
``(iii) reducing disruptive and aggressive
behaviors;
``(iv) improving child functioning;
``(v) reducing substance use disorders;
``(vi) reducing rates of suicide;
``(vii) reducing suspensions, truancy,
expulsions, and violence;
``(viii) increasing high school graduation
rates, calculated using the four-year adjusted
cohort graduation rate or the extended-year
adjusted cohort graduation rate (as such terms
are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965);
``(ix) improving attendance rates and rates
of chronic absenteeism;
``(x) improving access to care for mental
health disorders, including access to mental
health services that are trauma-informed, and
developmentally, linguistically, and culturally
appropriate;
``(xi) improving health outcomes; and
``(xii) decreasing disparities among
vulnerable and protected populations in
outcomes described in clauses (i) through
(viii).
``(C) Local educational outcomes.--The outcome
measures developed under paragraph (1)(B) relating to
local educational systems shall, with respect to
activities carried out under a program under this
section, at a minimum include provisions to evaluate--
``(i) the effectiveness of comprehensive
school mental health programs established under
this section;
``(ii) the effectiveness of formal
partnership linkages among child and family
serving institutions, community support
systems, and the educational system;
``(iii) the progress made in sustaining the
program once funding under the grant has
expired;
``(iv) the effectiveness of training and
professional development programs for all
school personnel that incorporate indicators
that measure cultural and linguistic
competencies under the program in a manner that
incorporates appropriate cultural and
linguistic training;
``(v) the improvement in perception of a
safe and supportive learning environment among
school staff, students, and parents;
``(vi) the improvement in case-finding of
students in need of more intensive services and
referral of identified students to prevention,
early intervention, and clinical services;
``(vii) the improvement in the immediate
availability of clinical assessment and
treatment services within the context of the
local community to students posing a danger to
themselves or others;
``(viii) the increased successful
matriculation to postsecondary school;
``(ix) reduced suicide rates;
``(x) reduced referrals to juvenile
justice; and
``(xi) increased educational equity.
``(3) Submission of annual data.--An eligible entity
described in subsection (c) that receives a grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement under this section shall annually submit
to the Assistant Secretary a report that includes data to
evaluate the success of the program carried out by the entity
based on whether such program is achieving the purposes of the
program. Such reports shall utilize the measures of outcomes
under paragraph (2) in a reasonable manner to demonstrate the
progress of the program in achieving such purposes.
``(4) Evaluation by assistant secretary.--Based on the data
submitted under paragraph (3), the Assistant Secretary shall
annually submit to Congress a report concerning the results and
effectiveness of the programs carried out with assistance
received under this section.
``(5) Limitation.--An eligible entity shall use not more
than 20 percent of amounts received under a grant under this
section to carry out evaluation activities under this
subsection.
``(h) Information and Education.--The Secretary shall establish
comprehensive information and education programs to disseminate the
findings of the knowledge development and application under this
section to the general public and to health care professionals.
``(i) Amount of Grants and Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) Amount of grants.--A grant under this section shall
be in an amount that is not more than $2,000,000 for each of
the first 5 fiscal years following the date of enactment of the
Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019. The Secretary
shall determine the amount of each such grant based on the
population of children up to age 21 of the area to be served
under the grant.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section, $250,000,000 for
each of the first 5 fiscal years following the date of
enactment of the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of
2019.''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Part G of title V of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290hh et seq.), as amended by subsection (b), is
further amended by striking the part designation and heading and
inserting the following:
``PART G--SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH''.
TITLE II--HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
SEC. 201. INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
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. INTERPROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE TEAMS FOR PROVISION OF
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE IN PRIMARY CARE SETTINGS.
``(a) Grants.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant
Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, shall award grants to
eligible entities for the purpose of establishing interprofessional
health care teams that provide behavioral health care.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an entity shall be a Federally qualified health center
(as defined in section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act), rural
health clinic, or behavioral health program, serving a high proportion
of individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups (as defined in
section 1707(g)).
``(c) Scientifically Based.--Integrated health care funded through
this section shall be scientifically based, taking into consideration
the results of the most recent peer-reviewed research available.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of the
first 5 fiscal years following the date of enactment of the Pursuing
Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019.''.
SEC. 202. ADDRESSING RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH
DISPARITIES RESEARCH GAPS.
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and
Health Disparities shall enter into an arrangement with the National
Academy of Sciences (or, if the National Academy of Sciences declines
to enter into such an arrangement, an arrangement with the Institute of
Medicine, the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the Agency
for Healthcare Quality, or another appropriate entity)--
(1) to conduct a study with respect to mental health
disparities in racial and ethnic minority groups (as defined in
section 1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
300u-6(g))); and
(2) to submit to the Congress a report on the results of
such study, including--
(A) a compilation of information on the dynamics of
mental disorders in such racial and ethnic minority
groups; and
(B) a compilation of information on the impact of
exposure to community violence, adverse childhood
experiences, and other psychological traumas on mental
disorders in such racial and minority groups.
SEC. 203. HEALTH PROFESSIONS COMPETENCIES TO ADDRESS RACIAL AND ETHNIC
MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH DISPARITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting
through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use,
shall award grants to qualified national organizations for the purposes
of--
(1) developing, and disseminating to health professional
educational programs curricula or core competencies addressing
mental health disparities among racial and ethnic minority
groups for use in the training of students in the professions
of social work, psychology, psychiatry, marriage and family
therapy, mental health counseling, and substance abuse
counseling; and
(2) certifying community health workers and peer wellness
specialists with respect to such curricula and core
competencies and integrating and expanding the use of such
workers and specialists into health care to address mental
health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups.
(b) Curricula; Core Competencies.--Organizations receiving funds
under subsection (a) may use the funds to engage in the following
activities related to the development and dissemination of curricula or
core competencies described in subsection (a)(1):
(1) Formation of committees or working groups comprised of
experts from accredited health professions schools to identify
core competencies relating to mental health disparities among
racial and ethnic minority groups.
(2) Planning of workshops in national fora to allow for
public input into the educational needs associated with mental
health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups.
(3) Dissemination and promotion of the use of curricula or
core competencies in undergraduate and graduate health
professions training programs nationwide.
(4) Establishing external stakeholder advisory boards to
provide meaningful input into policy and program development
and best practices to reduce mental health disparities among
racial and ethnic minority groups.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Qualified national organization.--The term ``qualified
national organization'' means a national organization that
focuses on the education of students in programs of social
work, psychology, psychiatry, and marriage and family therapy.
(2) Racial and ethnic minority group.--The term ``racial
and ethnic minority group'' has the meaning given to such term
in section 1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
300u-6(g)).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for each of the first 5 fiscal years following the date of enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 204. RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION STRATEGY.
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 new section:
``SEC. 553. BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
STRATEGY.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant
Secretary, shall, in coordination with advocacy and behavioral and
mental health organizations serving racial and ethnic minority groups,
develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote
behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental
health conditions and substance abuse among racial and ethnic minority
groups. Such strategy shall--
``(1) be designed to--
``(A) meet the diverse cultural and language needs
of the various racial and ethnic minority groups; and
``(B) be developmentally and age-appropriate;
``(2) increase awareness of symptoms of mental illnesses
common among such groups, taking into account differences
within subgroups, such as gender, gender identity, age, or
sexual orientation, of such groups;
``(3) provide information on evidence-based, culturally and
linguistically appropriate and adapted interventions and
treatments;
``(4) ensure full participation of, and engage, both
consumers and community members in the development and
implementation of materials; and
``(5) seek to broaden the perspective among both
individuals in these groups and stakeholders serving these
groups to use a comprehensive public health approach to
promoting behavioral health that addresses a holistic view of
health by focusing on the intersection between behavioral and
physical health.
``(b) Reports.--Beginning not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Secretary,
acting through the Assistant Secretary, shall submit to Congress, and
make publicly available, a report on the extent to which the strategy
developed and implemented under subsection (a) increased behavioral and
mental health outcomes associated with mental health conditions and
substance abuse among racial and ethnic minority groups.
``(c) Definition.--In this section, the term `racial and ethnic
minority group' has the meaning given to that term in section 1707(g).
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for the first fiscal
year following the date of enactment of the Pursuing Equity in Mental
Health Act of 2019.''.
SEC. 205. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.
(a) In General.--In addition to amounts otherwise authorized to be
appropriated to the National Institutes of Health, there is authorized
to be appropriated to such Institutes $100,000,000 for each of the
first 5 fiscal years following the date of enactment of this Act to
build relations with communities and conduct or support clinical
research, including clinical research on racial or ethnic disparities
in physical and mental health.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``clinical research''
has the meaning given to such term in section 409 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284d).
SEC. 206. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON MINORITY HEALTH
AND HEALTH DISPARITIES.
In addition to amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated to
the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, there
is authorized to be appropriated to such Institute $650,000,000 for
each of the first 5 fiscal years following the date of enactment of
this Act.
TITLE III--OTHER PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. REAUTHORIZATION OF MINORITY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
Section 597(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
297ll(c)) is amended by striking ``$12,669,000 for each of fiscal years
2018 through 2022'' and inserting ``$25,000,000 for each of the first 5
fiscal years following the date of enactment of the Pursuing Equity in
Mental Health Act of 2019''.
SEC. 302. COMMISSION ON THE EFFECTS OF SMARTPHONE AND SOCIAL MEDIA USE
ON ADOLESCENTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
establish a commission, to be known as the Commission on the Effects of
Smartphone and Social Media Usage on Adolescents, to examine--
(1) the extent of smartphone and social media use in
schools; and
(2) the effects of such use on--
(A) the emotional and physical health of students;
and
(B) the academic performance of students.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Number.--The Commission shall consist of 15 members
appointed by the Secretary.
(2) Composition.--The members of the Commission--
(A) shall not include any government officials or
employees; and
(B) shall include representatives of academia,
technology companies, and advocacy groups.
(c) Guidelines.--The Secretary shall authorize the Commission to
establish guidelines for its operation.
(d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after its establishment, the
Commission shall submit to the Congress, and make publicly available, a
report on the findings and conclusions of the Commission.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``Commission'' means the Commission on the
Effects of Smartphone and Social Media Usage on Adolescents
established under subsection (a).
(2) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health
and Human Services.
(f) Sunset.--Not later than 6 months after the Commission submits
the report required by subsection (c), the Secretary shall terminate
the Commission.
SEC. 303. NO FEDERAL FUNDS FOR CONVERSION THERAPY.
(a) In General.--No Federal funds may be used for conversion
therapy.
(b) Discouraging States From Funding Conversion Therapy.--Beginning
on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
any State that funds conversion therapy shall be ineligible to be
awarded a grant or other financial assistance under any program of the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, including
any program under title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
290aa et seq.).
(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
(1) Conversion therapy.--The term ``conversion therapy''--
(A) means any practice or treatment by any person
that seeks to change another individual's sexual
orientation or gender identity, including efforts to
change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate
or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings
toward individuals of the same gender, if such person
receives monetary compensation in exchange for any such
practice or treatment; and
(B) does not include any practice or treatment,
which does not seek to change sexual orientation or
gender identity, that--
(i) provides assistance to an individual
undergoing a gender transition; or
(ii) provides acceptance, support, and
understanding of a client or facilitation of a
client's coping, social support, and identity
exploration and development, including sexual
orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or
address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual
practices.
(2) Gender identity.--The term ``gender identity'' means
the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other
gender-related characteristics of an individual, regardless of
the individual's designated sex at birth.
(3) Person.--The term ``person'' means any individual,
partnership, corporation, cooperative, association, or any
other entity.
(4) Sexual orientation.--The term ``sexual orientation''
means homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given to
such term in section 2 of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 201).
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