[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1248. Mr. HICKENLOOPER (for himself and Ms. Murkowski) submitted 
an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 331, to 
amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the scheduling of 
fentanyl-related substances, and for other purposes; which was ordered 
to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. PEER-TO-PEER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Peer 
     to Peer Mental Health Support Act''.
       (b) Pilot Program.--The Assistant Secretary for Mental 
     Health and Substance Use (referred to in this section as the 
     ``Assistant Secretary''), in consultation with the Secretary 
     of Education, may, as appropriate and within a relevant 
     existing program, carry out a pilot program and make awards, 
     on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to support 
     evidence-based mental health peer support activities for 
     students enrolled in secondary schools (as such term is 
     defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).
       (c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an award under 
     this section, an entity shall--
       (1) be a State, political subdivision of a State, 
     territory, or Indian Tribe or Tribal organization (as such 
     terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); 
     and
       (2) submit to the Assistant Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Assistant Secretary may require, including a description 
     of how the entity will measure and evaluate progress of the 
     program in improving student mental health outcomes.
       (d) Use of Amounts.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), an eligible 
     entity may use amounts provided under this section to 
     implement or operate evidence-based mental health peer 
     support activities in 1 or more secondary schools (as such 
     term is defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) within the 
     jurisdiction of such eligible entity, which may include 
     providing training, as appropriate, to students, adult 
     supervisors, and other appropriate individuals to improve the 
     early identification of, response to, and recovery supports 
     for mental health and substance use challenges, reduce 
     associated risks, and promote resiliency.
       (2) Program oversight.--An eligible entity shall ensure 
     that mental health peer support activities under paragraph 
     (1) are overseen by a school-based mental health 
     professional.
       (3) FERPA.--Any education records of the student collected 
     or maintained under this section shall have the protections 
     provided in section 444 of the General Education Provisions 
     Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g).
       (e) Evaluation; Report.--
       (1) Evaluation.--The Assistant Secretary shall carry out an 
     evaluation to measure the efficacy of the program under this 
     section. The evaluation shall--
       (A) measure participation rates in mental health peer 
     support activities, including any associated trends;
       (B) describe the specific trainings provided, or other 
     activities carried out under the pilot program;
       (C) assess whether such mental health peer support 
     activities impacted mental health outcomes of participating 
     students; and
       (D) measure the effectiveness of the pilot program in 
     connecting students to professional mental health services 
     compared to other evidence-based strategies.
       (2) Report.--The Assistant Secretary shall prepare and 
     submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and 
     Commerce and Education and Workforce of the House of 
     Representatives a report containing the results of the 
     evaluation conducted under paragraph (1).
       (f) Technical Assistance.--The Assistant Secretary, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of Education, shall provide 
     technical assistance to eligible entities applying for and 
     receiving an award under this section, including the 
     identification and dissemination of best practices for mental 
     health peer support programs for students.
       (g) Rule of Construction.--Section 4001 of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101) shall 
     apply to an entity receiving a grant, contract, or 
     cooperative agreement under this section in the same manner 
     as such section applies to an entity receiving funding under 
     title IV of such Act, except that section 4001(a)(2)(B)(i) of 
     such Act shall not apply.
       (h) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on September 30, 
     2029.
                                 ______