[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14850-14864]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Durbin, 
        Mr. Lautenberg, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Brown, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Dodd, 
        Mrs. Murray, Mr. Feingold, and Mrs. Boxer):
  S. 1553. A bill to provide additional assistance to combat HIV/AIDS 
among young people, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today with Senator Snowe to 
introduce legislation to strengthen our international HIV prevention 
efforts and empower the people on the ground who are fighting this 
disease to design the most effective and appropriate HIV prevention 
program.
  The bill is cosponsored by Senator Leahy, Senator Durbin, Senator 
Clinton, Senator Lautenberg, Senator Brown, Senator Kerry, Senator 
Boxer, Senator Dodd, Senator Murray, and Senator Feingold.
  This bill simply strikes the provision in the United States 
Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003 that 
mandates that at least 33 percent of HIV prevention funding in the 
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, be set aside 
``abstinence-until-marriage'' programs.
  Let me be clear from the beginning: this bill does not prohibit the 
administration from funding ``abstinence-until-marriage'' programs.
  In fact, if the bill becomes law, the administration would still be 
able to spend all of our HIV prevention funding on abstinence-until-
marriage programs if it decided do so.
  This bill is about giving the administration and HIV/AIDS workers the 
flexibility to design the most effective HIV prevention program without 
having to worry about artificial earmarks that are based on politics, 
not science.
  Indeed, in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, we cannot afford 
to tie ourselves down with undue restrictions.
  Worldwide, 40 million people are infected with HIV. Each day, 
approximately 12,000 people are newly infected with HIV. In 2006, there 
were 4.3 million new HIV infections around the world, 2.8 million in 
sub-Saharan Africa alone. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to almost two-
thirds of the estimated 40 million people currently living with HIV.
  Across sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence rate for the adult 
population is 6 percent. Mr. President, 2.1 million adults and children 
died of AIDS in 2005.
  Despite these devastating numbers, according to UNAIDS, less than one 
in five people at risk for infection of HIV have access to basic 
prevention services. Studies have shown that two-thirds of new HIV 
infections could be averted with effective prevention programs.
  Clearly, we still have a long ways to go to rein in this disease.
  The 2003 HIV/AIDS legislation recognized that prevention, along with 
care and treatment, is an essential component of that fight and demands 
a multipronged approach. It endorsed the ``ABC'' model for prevention 
of the sexual transmission of HIV: abstain, be faithful, use condoms.
  Yet instead of allowing HIV/AIDS workers and doctors the ability to 
use all of the prevention tools at their disposal to respond to local 
needs, we required them to spend at least 33 percent on ``abstinence-
until marriage'' programs.
  The question has to been asked: Why 33 percent? Why not 15 percent? 
Why not 50 percent? What scientific study concluded that 33 percent of 
HIV prevention funds for abstinence only programs was appropriate?
  There was no study and it begs the question: when you are fighting a 
pandemic that has already cost so many lives, who should decide how to 
allocate funding among different types of HIV prevention programs, 
Congress or the people with the knowledge and expertise on how to fight 
this disease?
  I support abstinence programs as a critical part of our HIV 
prevention programs. But mandating an earmark has negative consequences 
for other effective tools.
  It means less money for funds to prevent mother-to-child 
transmission, less money to promote a comprehensive prevention message 
to high risk groups such as sexually active youth, and fewer funds to 
protect the blood supply.
  Indeed, the evidence clearly shows that the one-third earmark has 
inhibited the ability of local communities to design a multipronged HIV 
prevention program that works best for them.
  Last year, the Government Accountability Office issued a report that 
found ``significant challenges'' associated with meeting the 
abstinence-until-marriage programs. The report concluded that the 33 
percent abstinence spending requirement is squeezing out available 
funding for other key HIV prevention programs such as mother-to-child 
transmission and maintaining a health blood supply.
  Country teams that are not exempted from the one-third earmark have 
to spend more than 33 percent of prevention funds on abstinence-until-
marriage activities, sometimes at the expense of other programs, in 
order for the administration to meet the overall 33 percent earmark.
  The spending requirement limited or reduced funding for programs 
directed to high-risk groups, such as sexually active youth and the 
majority of country teams on the ground reported that meeting the 
spending requirement ``challenges their ability to develop 
interventions that are responsive to local epidemiology and social 
norms.''
  Last month, a congressionally mandated review by the Institute of 
Medicine on the first 3 years of the President's Emergency Plan for 
AIDS Relief also found significant problems with the abstinence 
earmark. It concluded: there is no evidence to support a 33 percent 
abstinence only earmark; the 33 percent earmark does not allow country 
teams on the ground the flexibility they need to respond to local 
needs.
  Our bill seeks to address the problems highlighted in the GAO and the 
Institute of Medicine reports and provide local communities the 
necessary flexibility to achieve the goal we all share: stopping the 
spread of HIV, especially among young people.
  Simply put, our bill balances congressional priorities with public 
health needs. Under our legislation, country teams can take into 
account country needs including cultural differences, epidemiology, 
population age groups and the stage of the epidemic in designing the 
most effective prevention program.
  One size does not fit all. A prevention program in one country may 
look a lot different than a prevention program in another country.
  A May 2003 report from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and 
Henry J. Kaiser Foundation highlights that proven prevention programs 
include behavior change programs, including delay in the initiation of 
sexual activity, faithfulness and correct and consistent condom use; 
testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases; promoting 
voluntary counseling and testing; harm reduction programs for IV drug 
users; preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child; 
increasing blood safety; empowering women and girls; controlling 
infection in health care settings; and devising programs geared towards 
people living with HIV.
  For example, studies have shown that combining drugs with counseling 
and instruction on use of such drugs reduces mother-to-child 
transmission by 50 percent.
  Such cost effective programs are not related to abstinence and should 
not be constrained by the 33 percent earmark on funds for prevention.
  I understand the importance of teaching abstinence. It is and will 
remain a key part of our strategy in preventing the spread of HIV.

[[Page 14851]]

  But let us listen to the words of someone with firsthand experience 
about the challenges sub-Saharan African countries face in combating 
HIV/AIDS and the constraints the ``abstinence-until-marriage'' earmark 
places on those efforts.
  In an August 19, 2005, op-ed in the New York Times, Babatunde 
Osotimehin, chairman of the National Action Committee on AIDS in 
Nigeria, wrote:

       Abstinence is one critical prevention strategy, but it 
     cannot be the only one. Focusing on abstinence assumes young 
     people can choose whether to have sex. For adolescent girls 
     in Nigeria and in many other countries, this is an inaccurate 
     assumption. Many girls fall prey to sexual violence and 
     coercion. . . . When dealing with AIDS, we must address the 
     realities and use a multipronged approach to improving 
     education and health systems, one that can reach all of our 
     people.

  He concludes:

       National governments must have the freedom to employ the 
     very best strategies at our disposal to help our people.

  I could not agree more.
  If we want to help the girls of Nigeria and the youth of sub-Saharan 
Africa, we cannot limit the information they receive about keeping them 
safe from acquiring HIV.
  We do not have time to lose. I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation and support a pro-abstinence, multipronged approach to 
preventing the spread of HIV.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1553

       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 ``HIV Prevention Act of 
     2007''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (in this 
     Act referred to as ``PEPFAR'') is an unprecedented effort to 
     combat the global AIDS epidemic, with $9,000,000,000 targeted 
     for initiatives in 15 focus countries.
       (2) The PEPFAR prevention goal is to avert 7,000,000 HIV 
     infections in the 15 focus countries--most in sub-Saharan 
     Africa, where heterosexual intercourse is by far the 
     predominant mode of HIV transmission.
       (3) According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/
     AIDS, young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years old 
     are ``the most threatened by AIDS'' and ``are at the centre 
     of HIV vulnerability''. Globally, young people between the 
     ages of 10 and 24 years old account for \1/2\ of all new HIV 
     cases each year. About 7,000 young people in this cohort 
     contract the virus every day.
       (4) A recent review funded by the United States Agency for 
     International Development found that sex and HIV education 
     programs that encourage abstinence but also discuss the use 
     of condoms do not increase sexual activity as critics of sex 
     education have long alleged. Sex education can help delay the 
     initiation of intercourse, reduce the frequency of sex and 
     the number of sexual partners, and also increase condom use.
       (5) The United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, 
     Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7601 et 
     seq.) requires that at least \1/3\ of all prevention funds be 
     reserved for abstinence-until-marriage programs.
       (6) A congressionally mandated review by the Institute of 
     Medicine of the first 3 years of PEPFAR unequivocally 
     recommends greater flexibility in the global fight against 
     AIDS. The March 2007 Institute of Medicine report entitled 
     ``PEPFAR Implementation: Progress and Promise'' calls for 
     greater emphasis on prevention than the law currently allows 
     and says that ``removal of the abstinence-until-marriage'' 
     earmark, among other changes, ``could enhance the quality, 
     accountability, and flexibility'' of prevention efforts.
       (7) The Institute of Medicine report further found that the 
     abstinence-until-marriage earmark ``has greatly limited the 
     ability of Country Teams to develop and implement 
     comprehensive prevention programs that are well integrated 
     with each other and with counseling and testing, care and 
     treatment programs and that target those populations at 
     greatest risk''.
       (8) The Institute of Medicine report also found that the 
     earmark has ``limited PEPFAR's ability to tailor its 
     activities in each country to the local epidemic and to 
     coordinate with . . . the countries' national plans''.
       (9) The Institute of Medicine report is in keeping with the 
     conclusions of a report issued in 2006 by the Government 
     Accountability Office. The GAO report, entitled ``Spending 
     Requirement Presents Challenges for Allocating Funding under 
     the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief '', found 
     ``significant challenges'' associated with meeting the 
     earmark for abstinence-until-marriage programs.
       (10) The Government Accountability Office found that a 
     majority of country teams report that fulfilling the 
     requirement presents challenges to their ability to respond 
     to local epidemiology and cultural and social norms.
       (11) The Government Accountability Office found that, 
     although some country teams may be exempted from the 
     abstinence-until-marriage spending requirement, country teams 
     that are not exempted have to spend more than the 33 percent 
     of prevention funds on abstinence-until-marriage activities--
     sometimes at the expense of other programs.
       (12) The Government Accountability Office found that, as a 
     result of the abstinence-until-marriage spending requirement, 
     some countries have had to reduce planned funding for 
     Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission programs, thereby 
     limiting services for pregnant women and their children.
       (13) The Government Accountability Office found that the 
     abstinence-until-marriage spending requirement limited or 
     reduced funding for programs directed to high-risk groups, 
     such as services for married discordant couples, sexually 
     active youth, and commercial sex workers.
       (14) The Government Accountability Office found that the 
     abstinence-until-marriage spending requirement made it 
     difficult for countries to fund medical and blood safety 
     activities.
       (15) The Government Accountability Office found that, 
     because of the abstinence-until-marriage spending 
     requirement, some countries would likely have to reduce 
     funding for condom procurement and condom social marketing.
       (16) In addition, the Government Accountability Office 
     found that \2/3\ of focus country teams reported that the 
     policy for implementing PEPFAR's ABC model (defined as 
     ``Abstain, Be faithful, use Condoms'') is unclear and open to 
     varying interpretations, causing confusion about which groups 
     may be targeted and whether youth may receive the ABC 
     message.
       (17) The Government Accountability Office found that the 
     ABC guidance does not clearly delineate permissible ``C'' 
     activities under the ABC model. Program staff reported that 
     they feel ``constrained'' by restrictions on promoting or 
     marketing condoms to youth. Other country teams reported 
     confusion about whether PEPFAR funds may be used for broad 
     condom social marketing, even to adults in a generalized 
     epidemic.
       (18) Young people are our greatest hope for changing the 
     course of the AIDS epidemic. According to the World Health 
     Organization, ``[f]ocusing on young people is likely to be 
     the most effective approach to confronting the epidemic, 
     particularly in high prevalence countries''.

     SEC. 3. ENSURING BALANCED FUNDING FOR HIV PREVENTION METHODS.

       (a) Sense of Congress on Abstinence-Until-Marriage Funding 
     Requirement.--Section 402(b)(3) of the United States 
     Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 
     2003 (22 U.S.C. 7672(b)(3)) is amended by striking ``, of 
     which such amount at least 33 percent should be expended for 
     abstinence-until-marriage programs''.
       (b) Elimination of Abstinence-Until-Marriage Funding 
     Requirement.--Section 403(a) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7673(a)) 
     is amended by striking the second sentence.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Lieberman):
  S. 1554. A bill to comprehensively address challenges relating to 
energy independence, air pollution, and climate change facing the 
United States; to the Committee on Finance.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Energy 
Independence, Clean Air, and Climate Security Act of 2007. This 
legislation takes an integrated approach that is much needed and long 
overdue if we are to address effectively three intertwined issues of 
crucial importance to our Nation's economy and security and to the 
health of our people and our planet. I am very pleased to be joined on 
this legislation by Senator Lieberman, a true leader on energy, climate 
change, and environmental issues.
  The majority leader has announced the Senate may well take up a broad 
package of energy legislation next week. The bill I am introducing 
today lays out my own vision of how our Nation can best address its 
energy problems.
  If Mark Twain were with us today, it is not hard to imagine he would 
rephrase his famous quip about the weather to something along the lines 
of: Everyone talks about climate change and energy independence, but 
nobody does anything about it.
  Since the actions we take to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, to 
clean our air, and to reduce our contribution

[[Page 14852]]

to climate change all affect each other, it is necessary we develop a 
comprehensive strategy for all three of these challenges.
  Indeed, since the oil embargo of 1973, through 17 Congresses and 7 
different Presidents, energy efficiency and energy independence have 
generated a lot of talk, some pretty good ideas, and a lot of promises 
but not enough concerted, determined, coordinated action. During these 
34 years, our Nation's imports of foreign oil have soared from less 
than 35 percent to more than 60 percent, leaving us dangerously reliant 
on unstable regions of the world in order to fuel our Nation and our 
economy.
  In addition to our increased reliance on foreign oil, we are also 
consuming more and more electricity. As demand puts increasing pressure 
on supply, electricity prices have soared. In the summer, when air-
conditioners struggle to keep up with rising temperatures, we run the 
risk of blackouts, brownouts, and price spikes.
  At the same time, our greenhouse gas emissions have soared, leading 
to virtually indisputable evidence that human activity is contributing 
to climate change. In the United States, emissions of the primary 
greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, have risen more than 20 percent since 
1990. Globally, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere now far 
exceed the natural range over the last 650,000 years. We know this from 
scientific analyses of ice cores and other evidence.
  According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the 
increase in greenhouse gas emissions has already increased global 
temperatures and has likely contributed to more extreme weather events, 
such as droughts and floods. These emissions will continue to change 
the climate, causing warming in most regions and likely causing more 
floods, droughts, and an increase in the intensity of hurricanes.
  Climate change is not the only environmental problem caused by fossil 
fuel use. The quality of our air also suffers. Although we have made 
some important strides in improving air quality since the 1970s, we 
have not done enough. Fossil fuel use is the primary cause of mercury 
pollution, smog, and acid rain that continue to plague our Nation. 
Indeed, air pollution causes thousands of asthma attacks and costs many 
lives annually.
  The time has come to address our air quality, climate change, high 
energy prices, and dangerous reliance on foreign oil. The legislation I 
am introducing today is, I believe, the first Senate bill that would 
address all these problems in a single, integrated approach. There have 
been many bills introduced that address one of these problems. This is 
an attempt to have a comprehensive approach and to recognize that each 
of these problems affects the other.
  My legislation focuses primarily on two sectors of the economy: 
electricity and transportation. Together, these two sectors account for 
73 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. Electricity generation accounts 
for more than 40 percent of our carbon dioxide emissions. More than 80 
percent of these emissions are attributable to coal-fired powerplants. 
Coal-fired powerplants are also the single largest source of mercury 
pollution, smog, and acid rain. Between 1990 and 2004, emissions from 
these sectors increased by 27 percent.
  My legislation requires utilities to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 
to 1990 levels by the year 2020, while also addressing the emissions 
that cause smog, acid rain, and mercury pollution. It includes a 
renewable portfolio standard which would help to diversify our 
electricity supplies and energy efficiency resource standards that the 
Alliance to Save Energy estimates would save consumers, over time, 
billions of dollars on their electricity bills.
  The transportation sector, which relies almost entirely on oil, is 
not only partly responsible for our dangerous reliance on foreign oil 
but also accounts for 33 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. My 
legislation would help to reduce emissions from this sector through a 
combination of provisions such as CAFE standards for automobiles and 
heavy-duty trucks, tax incentives for consumers to encourage them to 
purchase hybrid and alternative fueled vehicles, incentives for 
manufacturers to produce the next generation of energy-efficient 
vehicles, and a low carbon fuel standard that will help to replace some 
gasoline with biofuels. Taken together, these provisions will 
substantially reduce our reliance on foreign oil, while reducing 
greenhouse gas emissions by hundreds of millions of tons.
  I wish to make clear the choice is not between hobbling our Nation's 
economy and protecting our environment. This legislation is based on 
the principle that research, development, and implementation of new 
approaches to energy independence and environmental stewardship will 
provide a powerful new stimulus for our economy. All too often, we are 
confronted with proposals to address one issue that only aggravate 
another problem. The integrated approach I am proposing will help us 
break through that impasse.
  This legislation does not attempt to reinvent the wheel. In fact, it 
incorporates several good ideas from my colleagues that have been 
introduced as separate bills, many of which I have cosponsored, such as 
the Ten-in-Ten and other CAFE bills, the DRIVE Act, and the Clean Power 
Act. It includes provisions of legislation I have introduced to address 
abrupt climate change and to eliminate certain tax credits for the oil 
industry. It contains many of the excellent energy efficiency 
provisions in the Energy for Our Future Act introduced by 
Representative Chris Shays in the House.
  My bill is also complementary with the McCain-Lieberman Climate 
Stewardship and Innovation Act. We need to pass that bill in order to 
establish a nationwide cap and trade program for addressing climate 
change. However, the regulations to implement that could take many 
years. The legislation I am proposing today will help us take some 
early action to help achieve the targets in the McCain-Lieberman bill.
  I believe the first step toward energy independence is to make 
better, more efficient use of our current energy supplies. The first 
title of this bill tackles that issue on several fronts.
  It would implement the ``Ten-in-Ten'' legislation I have co-sponsored 
with Senators Feinstein and Snowe to increase fuel economy standards to 
35 miles per gallon by 2016. It would then go a step further and 
increase CAFE standards to 45 miles per gallon by 2025. This provision 
would save approximately 2.5 million barrels of oil per day.
  It would help consumers buy more fuel-efficient cars by repealing the 
phase-out of the tax credit for hybrid vehicles, which is scheduled to 
sunset at the end of 2009. It would also require light trucks that use 
diesel fuel to meet more stringent EPA emission standards in order to 
qualify for the lean-burn credit.
  Public transportation is one of the most effective ways we can get 
more passenger miles per gallon. This legislation would promote the 
development and use of public transportation by subsidizing fares, 
encouraging employers to assist their employees with fares, and 
authorizing funding to build energy-efficient and environmentally 
friendly modes of transport, such as clean buses and light rail.
  It would direct the Department of Transportation to designate 20 
Transit-Oriented Development Corridors in urban areas by 2015, and 50 
by 2025. These TOD Corridors would be developed with the aid of grants 
to state and local governments to construct or improve facilities for 
motorized transit, bicycles, and pedestrians. These provisions would be 
funded by an authorization of $500 million per year from 2007 through 
2016.
  We must do more to encourage the development and manufacture of 
energy-efficient vehicles. This legislation would create a 20-percent 
investment tax credit for automobile manufacturers, and a fuel economy 
achievement credit for manufacturers that have a combined fleet fuel 
economy that exceeds that of their 2005 model year. This credit would 
begin at 5 percent next year and rise to 50 percent in 2015.
  And we must do more to help existing vehicles be as energy efficient 
as

[[Page 14853]]

possible. This legislation would direct the DOT to create a National 
Tire Fuel Efficiency Program that would include tire testing and 
labeling, energy-efficient tire promotions through incentives and 
information, and the creation of minimum fuel economy standards for 
tires. These standards would establish the maximum technically feasible 
and cost-effective fuel savings without adversely affecting tire safety 
or average tire life.
  Heavy-duty vehicles move our economy. This legislation would keep 
them on the move while helping to reduce both fuel consumption and 
emissions. It would require DOT to develop a testing and assessment 
program to determine what is feasible to improve the efficiency of 
heavy vehicles, and then to develop the appropriate fuel-economy 
standards. It also would provide a tax credit of up to $3,500 for the 
purchase of idling reduction technology for heavy vehicles.
  In order for the Federal Government to lead by example, this 
legislation would require the Secretary of Energy to issue regulations 
for federal fleets covered by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to reduce 
petroleum consumption by 30 percent from a 1999 baseline by 2016.
  Title II of my legislation focuses on increasing our energy 
independence and reducing our emissions from the transportation sector 
through the use of alternative fuels.
  Renewable fuels offer great potential to help us achieve greater 
energy independence. This legislation would help us realize that 
potential by establishing a clean, renewable fuels performance 
standard. The performance standard would require fuel providers to 
increase the volume of clean, low-carbon, renewable fuels by up to 35 
billion gallons by 2025, unless EPA finds that the increase is 
technically infeasible or is likely to result in adverse impacts.
  This legislation would expand existing tax credits for ethanol to 
include cellulosic biomass. While there has been a great deal of focus 
on using corn-based ethanol in order to decrease our reliance upon 
foreign oil, there are other renewable, plant-based energy sources that 
are more environmentally friendly and have greater potential to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions.
  Researchers at the University of Maine have been at the forefront of 
applying a research technique known as ``Life Cycle Analysis.'' Life 
Cycle Analysis is a unique interdisciplinary research tool that 
analyzes the energy requirements and environmental footprint involved 
with the manufacture, use, and disposal of a material. This technique 
is ideal for identifying fuels which have the lowest environmental 
impact and the greatest potential for reducing greenhouse gas 
emissions, while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
  My legislation would authorize $275 million over five years for 
research that would use Life Cycle Analysis in order to identify and 
develop new biotechnologies. These technologies will help move our 
petroleum-based economy toward a renewable, sustainable forest bio-
economy.
  Environmental stewardship must go beyond the tailpipes of our 
vehicles to the smokestacks of our power plants. Title III of my 
legislation builds upon the Clean Power Act that I introduced in the 
last Congress with Senators Jeffords and Lieberman. I have, however, 
modified this provision to provide assistance to small businesses 
struggling with high electricity costs. I have also included increased 
funding for important conservation programs such as Forest Legacy, in 
order to help wildlife adapt to the impacts of climate change.
  This legislation would cut all four major power plant pollutants over 
the next six years. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause 
smog, acid rain, and asthma attacks, would be cut by 75 percent. Toxic 
mercury emissions would be cut by 90 percent from 1999 levels, and 
carbon dioxide, which forms the heat-trapping blanket that contributes 
to global warming, would be cut to 1990 levels.
  These reductions would do more than provide long-term protection for 
our environment; they also would produce dramatic and immediate health 
gains for our people. According to the EPA, quick and decisive cuts in 
nitrogen and sulfur emissions from power plants would save 18,700 lives 
every year, avoid 366,000 asthma attacks, and prevent $100 billion in 
health care costs. In addition, these cuts would combat the acid rain 
that is spoiling some of our Nation's most treasured parks and 
wilderness areas.
  The Centers for Disease Control has concluded that 4.9 million women 
of childbearing age have elevated levels of mercury, and that 322,000 
newborns are at risk of neurological damage from mercury exposure. This 
provision preserves our national commitment to reduce toxic threats to 
pregnant women and to children by requiring meaningful reductions and 
by prohibiting trading.
  The Clean Power Act incorporated into this legislation closes the 
grandfather loophole that exempts dirty, aging power plants from 
cleanup. Every power plant will be required to meet the most modern 
pollution control standards by either the plant's 40th year of 
operation or by the fifth year of the enactment of this legislation.
  The Clean Power Act uses market mechanisms, such as buying and 
selling pollution allowances known as ``emissions trading.'' As I have 
already stated, under my bill, this trading will not be allowed for 
toxic mercury. Nor will it be allowed if it enables a power plant to 
pollute at a level that damages public health or the environment.
  Power plants are the largest source of our Nation's contribution to 
global warming; as I stated earlier, they account for some 40 percent 
of our carbon dioxide emissions. This legislation would return carbon 
dioxide emissions to 1990 levels. By providing electricity producers 
with regulatory certainty now about future pollution-reduction 
requirements, this legislation would allow smarter investments and more 
cost-efficient planning.
  As with existing motor vehicles, we must make more efficient use of 
the energy we now produce to heat our homes and power our lights. This 
legislation would double funding for the Department of Energy 
Weatherization Program, reaching $1.4 billion for 2008. It also would 
provide predictable funding for the valuable Energy Star Program, which 
helps consumers buy energy efficient appliances, and would extend the 
renewable electricity tax credit through 2011 and the residential 
investment tax credit for solar and energy efficient buildings through 
2012.
  This legislation also includes an Energy Efficiency Performance 
Standard for utilities. This provision requires utilities to achieve 
energy efficiency improvements. This provision would help consumers 
save on their electricity bills. By way of example, in California, 
where a similar provision was employed, utilities achieved energy 
savings at a cost of around 2-4 cents per kilowatt hour. According to 
the Alliance to Save Energy, an Energy Efficiency Performance Standard 
could save consumers $64 billion in net savings, and avoid the need to 
build 400 power plants, preventing 320 million metric tons of carbon 
dioxide emissions.
  In addition, my legislation includes a renewable portfolio standard 
which would require utilities to generate 20 percent of their 
electricity from environmentally sound renewable energy sources by the 
year 2020. For example, biomass electricity generated under this 
provision must be done using sustainable forest practices.
  This legislation will help Americans save on utility bills, and make 
our tax code fairer, too. Title V would eliminate two major tax credits 
that benefit large oil and gas companies: tax credits for intangible 
drilling costs and for excess percentage over cost depletions. This 
would save the taxpayers billions of dollars over the next five years.
  This legislation also would help us better understand and assess 
climate change. During the last three years, I have had the opportunity 
to meet in the field with some of the world's foremost climate 
scientists. I have traveled to Ny-Alesund, Norway, the northernmost 
community in the world, where I saw the dramatic loss of sea-ice

[[Page 14854]]

cover and the retreating Arctic glaciers. I have seen the same alarming 
changes in Alaska. Just a year ago, I went to the other end of the 
world and met with researchers--including a team from the University of 
Maine's outstanding Climate Change Institute--in Antarctica. These 
regions are the canary in the coal mine, and the changes taking place 
provide a warning we cannot ignore.
  Nor can we forestall taking action by arguing over the precise extent 
of climate change and the human contribution to it. The answer to 
scientific uncertainty is additional research. Title VI of my 
legislation would authorize $60 million for abrupt climate change 
research. Studies suggest that the climate can change dramatically 
within a very short period of time. An abrupt climate change triggered 
by the ongoing buildup of greenhouse gases could cause catastrophic 
droughts and floods. Understanding and predicting climate change are 
enormous scientific challenges. A great deal more scientific research 
is necessary in order to better understand the potential risk of abrupt 
climate change, and this legislation would provide the resources that 
are so urgently required.
  There are few issues of greater concern to my constituents in my home 
state of Maine than our nation's ongoing and escalating reliance on 
foreign oil, and the damage our vehicle and power plant emissions are 
doing to the environment. They bear the brunt of wildly fluctuating and 
steadily increasing energy prices. They know the harm this dependence 
causes to our national security, and they know the harm our current 
energy usage causes to the air they breathe. And although a bone-
chilling, winter nor'easter may bring a new round of jokes about the 
possible benefits of global warming, they know that human-caused 
climate change is no laughing matter. They know we must be better 
stewards of our planet.
  I believe that all Americans--whether they live in the sunny south or 
a winter wonderland--share these concerns. They have heard enough talk; 
they want us to act. Americans deserve to breathe clean air, pay 
reasonable gasoline and electricity prices, live in a world with a 
stable climate future, and have the peace of mind that comes with 
secure energy supplies. The Energy Independence, Clean Air, and Climate 
Security Act offers a comprehensive, integrated approach to these 
issues.
  In conclusion, let me describe the six titles very briefly.
  The first title of my bill would increase energy independence and 
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving the efficiency of our 
transportation sector. The second title would accomplish similar goals 
by replacing some gasoline with alternative fuels. The third title 
would reduce emissions of mercury, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and 
nitrogen oxides from powerplants. The fourth title would help to reduce 
heat and electricity bills and diversify our electricity supply through 
a combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy provisions. The 
fifth title would help save taxpayers money through the elimination of 
certain tax breaks for the oil industry. Finally, the sixth title would 
authorize $60 million for abrupt climate change research to help us 
better understand this phenomenon.
  I am particularly excited about renewable fuels. I think there is a 
lot we could do to expand the tax break for ethanol to include 
cellulosic biomass. There is very exciting research being done at the 
University of Maine which has been in the forefront of applying a 
research technique known as ``Life Cycle Analysis,'' which is a tool 
that analyzes the energy requirements and environmental footprint 
involved in the manufacture, use, and disposal of a material. It is 
ideal for identifying fuels which have the lowest environmental impact 
and the greatest potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while 
reducing our dependence on foreign oil. This technology will help us 
move our petroleum-based economy toward a renewable, sustainable, 
forest bioeconomy.
  This is a complex bill. I appreciate the indulgence of my colleagues.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Akaka, Ms. Colllns, Mr. 
        Menendez, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Casey):
  S. 1557. A bill to amend part B of title IV of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve 21st Century Community 
Learning Centers; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today, joined by my colleague Senator 
Ensign, to introduce the Improving 21st Century Community Learning 
Centers Act of 2007, which will provide children with safe, healthy, 
and academically focused afterschool programs. This bill is endorsed by 
the Afterschool Alliance, an organization representing more than 20,000 
public, private, and nonprofit afterschool providers who are dedicated 
to expanding access to high quality afterschool programs, as well as 
many other national and local organizations.
  More than 14 million children enrolled in kindergarten through 12th 
grade spend time unsupervised in the hours after school. Between the 
hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., while parents are at work, kids are most 
likely to experiment with risky behaviors. To the contrary, students 
who regularly attend afterschool programs have better grades and 
behavior in school, better peer relations and emotional adjustment, and 
lower incidences of drug use, violence, and pregnancy. America's 
families rely on afterschool programs to give their children the 
opportunity to be engaged in high quality learning activities that will 
enhance their children's success in school and in life.
  The Improving 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2007 is 
designed to do three things: enhance program quality and 
sustainability, address the obesity epidemic by including physical 
fitness and wellness programs in the list of possible programming 
activities, and encourage service learning. First, our bill provides 
States with tools designed to sustain high quality afterschool programs 
by allowing program grantees to renew their grants based on their 
program performance. The legislation also gives States the option to 
expand their technical assistance functions to further improve the 
quality of afterschool programs.
  Second, this bill will increase opportunities for children and young 
people to be more physically active. As obesity reaches epidemic 
proportions in our society, allowing for such opportunities is critical 
in ensuring our children's overall health. Obesity is among the easiest 
medical conditions to recognize, but among the most difficult to treat. 
The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 
billion. Physical activity and wellness programs are critical to our 
overall health and well-being.
  Third, this bill encourages children to be involved in service 
learning and youth development activities. Service learning integrates 
student designed service projects with academic studies. This type of 
program has been shown to strengthen student engagement, enhance 
student achievement, lower drop out and suspension rates, develop 
workforce and leadership skills and provide opportunities for team 
work. The Improving 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act will 
help build the character and work ethic of our children and youth.
  Finally, it is of paramount importance that we adequately fund our 
afterschool programs. Currently, afterschool programs have served, at 
most, only 1.4 million children. It is critical that we provide more 
opportunities for youth to be engaged in high quality afterschool 
programming.
  The Improving 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act provides a 
critical first step toward ensuring the health, safety, and education 
of our Nation's children. I hope that my colleagues will join me in 
supporting this important legislation.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

[[Page 14855]]



                                S. 1557

       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 ``21st Century Community 
     Learning Centers Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) More than 28,000,000 children in the United States have 
     parents who work outside the home and 14,300,000 children in 
     the United States are unsupervised after the school day ends.
       (2) 6,500,000 children are in after school programs but an 
     additional 15,300,000 would participate if such a program 
     were available.
       (3) After school programs inspire learning. In academic 
     year 2003-2004, 45 percent of all 21st Century Community 
     Learning Centers program participants had improved their 
     reading grades, and 41 percent improved their mathematics 
     grades.
       (4) In academic year 2003-2004 teachers reported that a 
     majority of students who participated in 21st Century 
     Community Learning Centers programs demonstrated improved 
     student behavior, particularly in the areas of academic 
     performance, homework completion, and class participation.
       (5) A growing body of research also suggests that children 
     who participate in after school programs attend school more 
     regularly, are more likely to stay in school, and are better 
     prepared for college and careers.
       (6) Benefits of after school programs extend beyond the 
     classroom. Communities with after school programs have 
     reported reduced vandalism and juvenile crime.
       (7) After school programs help working families. One study 
     estimates that decreased worker productivity due to stress 
     and absenteeism caused by issues related to after school care 
     arrangements costs employers $496 to $1,984 per employee, per 
     year, depending on the annual salary of the employee. The 
     total cost to the business industry is estimated to be 
     between $50,000,000,000 and $300,000,000,000 annually in lost 
     job productivity.
       (8) While students in the United States are falling behind 
     in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), 
     more than 90 percent of after school programs funded by 21st 
     Century Community Learning Centers offer STEM activities, 
     providing more time for children and youth to gain skills and 
     build interest in the STEM fields. Evaluations of after 
     school programs offering STEM activities to students have 
     found increases in the reading, writing, and science skills 
     proficiency of these students. Children who participate in 
     such programs show more interest in science careers, and are 
     more likely to have engaged in science activities just for 
     fun.
       (9) Data from 73 after school studies indicate that after 
     school programs employing evidence-based approaches to 
     improving students' personal and social skills were 
     consistently successful in producing multiple benefits for 
     students, including improvements in students' personal, 
     social, and academic skills, as well as students' self-
     esteem.
       (10) Teens who do not participate in after school programs 
     are nearly 3 times more likely to skip classes than teens who 
     do participate. The teens who do not participate are also 3 
     times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and are 
     more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and engage in 
     sexual activity. In general, self care and boredom can 
     increase the likelihood that a young person will experiment 
     with drugs and alcohol by as much as 50 percent.
       (11) A 2006 study predicts that by the year 2010 more than 
     46 percent of school-age children in the Americas will be 
     overweight and 1 in 7 such children will be obese. A study of 
     after school program participants in 3 elementary schools 
     found that after school participants were significantly less 
     likely to be obese at the 3-year follow-up physical exam and 
     were more likely to have increased acceptance among their 
     peers. After school programs provide children and youth with 
     opportunities to engage in sports and other fitness 
     activities.
       (12) After school programs have been identified as 
     effective venues for improving nutrition, nutrition 
     education, and physical activity at a time when just 20 
     percent of youth in grades 9 through 12 consume the 
     recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
       (13) After school programs also provide children and youth 
     with opportunities for service learning, a teaching and 
     learning approach that integrates student-designed service 
     projects that address community needs with academic studies. 
     With structured time to reflect on their service experience, 
     these projects can strengthen student engagement, enhance 
     students' academic achievement, lower school drop out and 
     suspension rates, and help develop important workforce skills 
     that employers are looking for, including leadership skills, 
     critical thinking, teamwork, and oral and written 
     communication.

     SEC. 3. REFERENCES.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this 
     Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the 
     reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
     of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301).

     SEC. 4. 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS.

       (a) Purpose.--Section 4201 (20 U.S.C. 7171) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2)--
       (A) by inserting ``service learning and nutrition 
     education,'' after ``youth development activities,''; and
       (B) by striking ``recreation programs'' and inserting 
     ``physical fitness and wellness programs''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
     (2) and (3), respectively.
       (b) Allotments to States.--Section 4202 (20 U.S.C. 7172) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (1); and
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (1) and (2), respectively; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(3)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``3 percent'' and inserting ``5 percent''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) Supporting State-level efforts and infrastructure to 
     ensure the quality and availability of after school 
     programs.''.
       (c) Award Duration.--Section 4204(g) (20 U.S.C. 7174(g)) is 
     amended by striking the period and inserting ``, and are 
     renewable for a period of not less than 3 years and not more 
     than 5 years based on grant performance.''.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 4206 (20 
     U.S.C. 7176) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 4206. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     part such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and 
     each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''.

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Improving 
21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2007 with my colleague, 
Senator Chris Dodd.
  The Improving 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2007 
will go a long way toward providing our Nation's children with safe, 
healthy, and academically focused aftershool programs. Mr. President, 
21st century community learning centers provide students in rural and 
inner-city public schools with access to homework centers, tutors, 
mentors, and drug and alcohol prevention counseling, as well as 
cultural and recreational activities.
  Today, 14.3 million children go home alone when the school day ends, 
including over 40,000 kindergartners and almost 4 million middle school 
students. With less than half of the children in afterschool programs, 
the parents of another 15.3 million children say their children would 
participate in afterschool--if a program were available. The 21st 
Century Community Learning Centers Program is a critical resource to 
children, families, and communities in their struggle to meet the need 
for high-quality afterschool programs.
  The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program is a worthwhile 
and necessary investment--evaluations show that these investments are 
having a great impact on children's academic achievement and behavior. 
In 2003-2004, 45 percent of all program participants had improved their 
reading grades and 41 percent improved their math grades. Teachers 
reported that a majority of the students participating in the programs 
improved their academic performance, improved their school attendance, 
completed more homework on time and to the teacher's satisfaction, and 
improved their class participation. Beyond the academic gains, these 
programs are making kids and communities safer by reducing vandalism 
and juvenile crime. It is important that we provide our children with 
access to high-quality, safe, and enriching environments in the hours 
after the school day.
  When my colleagues and I passed the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002 
it included a bipartisan commitment to quality afterschool programs and 
investment in the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. The 
learning centers are currently funded at $981 million and serve about 1 
million children, yet this is just a fraction--7 percent--of the 
children who are eligible for the program and need access to high-
quality afterschool programs. Improving 21st Century Community Learning 
Centers Act of 2007 will address this need and provide our

[[Page 14856]]

children with the sustainable afterschool opportunities that they 
deserve.
  Recent evaluations of 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs 
show that participating students are improving both their academic 
performance and social behavior in and out of the classroom. Yet 
maintaining quality programs takes constant effort and resources. This 
legislation increases the investments in quality that are critical to 
ensuring that programs not only contribute to children's academic and 
social development but also give young people the opportunities that 
will ensure their college and workplace readiness in the future.
  As the father of three and as a former latch-key kid myself, I 
understand the benefits of providing children with a place to go and 
activities to help them excel. I am committed to ensuring that our 
schools have the assistance they need to ensure that our children leave 
the public education system as well-rounded individuals. Children 
attending public schools should not only be proficient in reading, 
writing, and arithmetic but also be skillful in music, art, and 
athletics. It is my sincere hope that my colleagues in the Senate will 
recognize this important need and cosponsor the Improving 21st Century 
Community Learning Centers Act of 2007.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Domenici, and Mr. Kennedy):
  S. 1560. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve the 
quality and availability of mental health services for children and 
adolescents; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. DODD, Mr. President, I rise today to introduce bipartisan 
legislation with my colleagues, Senators Domenici and Kennedy, that 
seeks to meet the mental health needs of children and adolescents.
  I believe that the task of ensuring the emotional well-being and 
resiliency of our young people is one of paramount importance. We all 
know that mental health is a critical component contributing to a 
child's general health and ability to grow both intellectually and 
physically. Yet, the task of ensuring the mental health of children and 
adolescents is not an easy one. In fact, it is arguably one of the most 
difficult and largely unspoken tasks facing our Nation today.
  According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration SAMHSA, 1 in 10 children and adolescents suffer from 
mental health disorders serious enough to cause some level of 
impairment. Out of these young people, only one in five receive the 
specialty mental health services they require.
  These startling statistics prompted former Surgeon General Dr. David 
Satcher to convene a conference in 1999 that examined the mental health 
needs of children. The conference, composed of some of the Nation's 
leading experts in mental and public health published a seminal report 
that concluded that ``. . . the burden of suffering experienced by 
children with mental illness and their families has created a health 
crisis in this country.'' The report further concluded that ``. . . 
there is broad evidence that the Nation lacks a unified infrastructure 
to help children suffering from mental illness.''
  The ``burden of suffering'' described in Surgeon General Satcher's 
report is a burden endured by millions of children, adolescents, and 
their families in Connecticut and across our Nation. Throughout my 
Senate career, I have heard from families who have shared with me their 
personal stories in struggling to care for their children. Their 
stories have fueled my belief that child and adolescent mental health 
needs to be a top priority.
  Recognizing the fragmentation of the Nation's mental health delivery 
system, Surgeon General Satcher's report concluded that one fundamental 
way to meet the mental health needs of children and adolescents is to 
``. . . move towards a community-based mental health delivery system 
that balances health promotion, disease prevention, early detection, 
and universal access to care.'' The report further stated eight goals 
to ensure the resiliency of children and adolescents. These goals were: 
first, to promote public awareness of children's mental health issues 
and reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness; second, to 
continue to develop, disseminate, and implement scientifically proven 
prevention and treatment services in the field of children's mental 
health; third, to improve the assessment and recognition of mental 
health needs in children; fourth, to eliminate racial, ethnic and 
socioeconomic disparities in access to mental health care services; 
fifth, to improve infrastructure for children's mental health services, 
including support for scientifically proven interventions across 
professions; sixth, to increase access to and coordination of quality 
mental health care services; seventh, to train frontline providers to 
recognize and manage mental health issues, and educate mental health 
care providers about scientifically proven prevention and treatment 
services, and; finally, to monitor the access to and coordination of 
quality mental health care services.
  In 2002, President Bush established the President's New Freedom 
Commission on Mental Health to study three obstacles identified by the 
President that prevent Americans with mental illness from getting the 
care they require. These obstacles were identified as the stigma that 
too often surrounds mental health care, a lack of mental health parity, 
and the fragmented mental health delivery system. In 2003, the 
President's New Freedom Commission issued a report that made a series 
of recommendations on how the Nation's mental health system could be 
transformed for the better. Like Surgeon General Satcher's report, this 
publication also set forth a series of goals. They were: first, to 
ensure that Americans understand that mental health is essential to 
overall health; second, to ensure that mental health care is consumer- 
and family-driven; third, to eliminate disparities in mental health 
care services; fourth, to ensure that early mental health screening, 
assessment, and referral services are common practices; fifth, to 
ensure that excellent mental health care is delivered and research is 
accelerated; and finally, to ensure that technology is used to access 
mental health care and information.
  I describe these two reports because the legislation I am introducing 
with my colleagues today seeks to address the recommendations they 
espouse. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Resiliency Act of 2007 
authorizes $205 million in an effort to meet five principal objectives.
  The first objective is to increase access to, and improve the quality 
of, mental health care services delivered to children and adolescents. 
Our legislation seeks to meet this objective in several ways.
  First, it authorizes a new grant of $50 million for states to develop 
and implement a comprehensive mental health plan exclusively for 
children and adolescents that provides community-based mental health 
early intervention and prevention services and relevant support 
services, such as primary health care, education, transportation and 
housing. The plan would have to meet a set of core operational and 
evaluative requirements and would have to be developed through 
extensive outside consultation with children and adolescents, their 
families, advocates and health professionals.
  Second, our legislation authorizes two matching grants of $22.5 
million each for community health centers, many of which primarily 
serve low-income populations, and primary health care facilities, such 
as a pediatrician's office, to provide community-based mental health 
services in coordination with community mental health centers and/or 
trained mental health professionals.
  Third, our legislation authorizes a new grant of $22.5 million for 
states, localities and private nonprofit organizations, for example, 
school districts, to provide community-based mental health services in 
schools and appropriate mental health training activities to relevant 
school and health professionals.

[[Page 14857]]

  Fourth, our legislation authorizes a new grant of $20 million for 
States, localities and private nonprofit organizations to provide 
community-based mental health services specifically for at-risk mothers 
and their children.
  Fifth, our legislation authorizes a new grant of $10 million for 
States, localities and private nonprofit organizations to provide 
community-based mental health services for children and adolescents in 
juvenile justice systems.
  Sixth, our legislation authorizes $10 million for the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to establish, run and evaluate a 
demonstration project that improves the ability of local case managers 
to work across the mental health, public health, substance abuse, child 
welfare, education, juvenile justice and social services systems in a 
State.
  Finally, our legislation requires States to meet their statutory 
obligations to fund fully mental health screening services under the 
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Services 
Program. It also requires current successful initiatives, such as the 
Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with 
Serious Emotional Disturbance Program, the Community Mental Health 
Services Performance Partnership block grant, the Community Mental 
Health Services block grant, and the Jail Diversion Program, to expand 
their scope with respect to certain reporting, evaluative, and service 
activities.
  The second objective our legislation seeks to meet is ensuring 
greater public awareness and greater family participation in mental 
health services decisionmaking. Toward this end, our legislation does 
the following:
  First, it authorizes a new grant of $10 million for States, 
localities and private nonprofit organizations to develop policies that 
enable families of children and adolescents with mental health 
disorders to have increased control and choice over mental health 
services provided and received through a publicly funded mental health 
system.
  Second, it authorizes a new grant of $10 million for private 
nonprofit organizations to provide information on child and adolescent 
mental health disorders, services, support services and respite care to 
families of children and adolescents with or who are at risk for mental 
health disorders.
  Third, it authorizes a new grant of $10 million for private nonprofit 
organizations to develop community coalitions and public education 
activities that promote child and adolescent resiliency.
  In addition, our legislation authorizes $10 million to establish two 
new technical assistance centers. These centers are designed to collect 
and disseminate information on mental health disorders, mental health 
disorder risk factors, mental health services, mental health service 
access, relevant support services, reducing the inappropriate use of 
seclusion and restraints, and family participation in mental health 
service decision-making, exclusively for children and adolescents with 
or at risk of mental health disorders.
  The third objective that this legislation seeks to meet is for the 
Federal Government to develop a policy specifically designed to meet 
the unique mental health needs of children and adolescents. The 
legislation authorizes $10 million for the establishment of an 
interagency coordinating committee consisting of all Federal officials 
whose departments or agencies oversee mental health activities for 
children and adolescents. Modeled after language in the Garrett Lee 
Smith Memorial Act, our legislation requires the coordinating committee 
to consult with outside parties, develop a Federal policy exclusively 
pertaining to child and adolescent mental health, and report annually 
to Congress on specific challenges and solutions associated with 
comprehensively addressing the mental health needs of children and 
adolescents. It also gives the committee flexibility to develop and 
implement joint demonstration projects that bolster appropriate mental 
health care services to children and adolescents.
  The fourth and final objective that this legislation seeks to meet is 
increasing the amount of research into child and adolescent mental 
health. Only through intensive research can we develop evidence-based 
best practices that allow us to develop services that fully meet the 
mental health needs of our children. Toward that end, our legislation 
authorizes a new grant of $12.5 million for States, localities, 
institutions of higher education and private nonprofit organizations to 
identify and research current service, training and information 
awareness gaps in mental health delivery systems for children and 
adolescents. Our legislation also authorizes $12.5 million to enhance 
comprehensive Federal research and evaluation of promising best 
practices, existing disparities, psycho-tropic medications, trauma, 
recovery and rehabilitation, and co-occurring disorders as they relate 
to child and adolescent mental health.
  I have begun working with my colleagues on the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions to reauthorize the Substance Abuse and 
Mental Health Services Administration. It is my hope that this 
legislation can contribute to that reauthorization effort.
  I would like to conclude by saying that this legislation, while 
comprehensive, is a first step, not a complete solution, towards fully 
meeting the challenge of ensuring the resiliency of our children and 
adolescents. We need to continue working together--young people, 
families, doctors, counselors, nurses, teachers, advocates, and 
policymakers, since we all have a stake, either professional or 
personal, on this issue. Only by working together can we develop 
effective and compassionate ways through which every young person in 
this Nation is given a solid foundation upon which to reach his or her 
dreams in life. I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join us in 
this important effort.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1560

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Child and 
     Adolescent Mental Health Resiliency Act of 2007''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.

TITLE I--STATE AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES CONCERNING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF 
                        CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Sec. 101. Grants concerning comprehensive state mental health plans.
Sec. 102. Grants concerning early intervention and prevention.
Sec. 103. Activities concerning mental health services in schools.
Sec. 104. Activities concerning mental health services under the early 
              and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment 
              services program.
Sec. 105. Activities concerning mental health services for at-risk 
              mothers and their children.
Sec. 106. Activities concerning interagency case management.
Sec. 107. Grants concerning consumer and family participation.
Sec. 108. Grants concerning information on child and adolescent mental 
              health services.
Sec. 109. Activities concerning public education of child and 
              adolescent mental health disorders and services.
Sec. 110. Technical assistance center concerning training and seclusion 
              and restraints.
Sec. 111. Technical assistance centers concerning consumer and family 
              participation.
Sec. 112. Comprehensive community mental health services for children 
              and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances.
Sec. 113. Community mental health services performance partnership 
              block grant.
Sec. 114. Community mental health services block grant program.
Sec. 115. Grants for jail diversion programs.
Sec. 116. Activities concerning mental health services for juvenile 
              justice populations.

[[Page 14858]]

   TITLE II--FEDERAL INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

Sec. 201. Interagency coordinating committee concerning the mental 
              health of children and adolescents.

TITLE III--RESEARCH ACTIVITIES CONCERNING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN 
                            AND ADOLESCENTS

Sec. 301. Activities concerning evidence-based or promising best 
              practices.
Sec. 302. Federal research concerning adolescent mental health.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) According to the Surgeon General's Conference on 
     Children's Mental Health: A National Action Agenda, mental 
     health is a critical component of children's learning and 
     general health.
       (2) According to the Surgeon General's Conference on 
     Children's Mental Health: A National Action Agenda, 1 in 10 
     children and adolescents suffer from mental illness severe 
     enough to cause some level of impairment.
       (3) According to the Surgeon General's Conference on 
     Children's Mental Health: A National Action Agenda, only 1 in 
     5 children and adolescents who suffer from severe mental 
     illness receive the specialty mental health services they 
     require.
       (4) According to the World Health Organization, childhood 
     neuropsychiatric disorders will rise by more than 50 percent 
     by 2020, internationally, to become 1 of the 5 most common 
     causes of morbidity, mortality, and disability among 
     children.
       (5) According to the Surgeon General's Conference on 
     Children's Mental Health: A National Action Agenda, the 
     burden of suffering experienced by children with mental 
     illness and their families has created a health crisis in 
     this country.
       (6) According to the Surgeon General's Conference on 
     Children's Mental Health: A National Action Agenda, there is 
     broad evidence that the nation lacks a unified infrastructure 
     to help children suffering from mental illness.
       (7) According to the President's New Freedom Commission on 
     Mental Health, President George Bush identified 3 obstacles 
     preventing Americans with mental illness from getting the 
     care they require: stigma that surrounds mental illness, 
     unfair treatment limitations and financial requirements 
     placed on mental health benefits in private health insurance, 
     and the fragmented mental health service delivery system.
       (8) According to the Surgeon General's Conference on 
     Children's Mental Health: A National Action Agenda, 1 way to 
     ensure that the country's health system meets the mental 
     health needs of children is to move towards a community-based 
     mental health delivery system that balances health promotion, 
     disease prevention, early detection, and universal access to 
     care.
       (9) According to the President's New Freedom Commission on 
     Mental Health, transforming the country's mental health 
     delivery system rests on 2 principles: services and 
     treatments must be consumer and family-centered, and care 
     must focus on increasing a person's ability to successfully 
     cope with life's challenges, on facilitating recovery, and 
     building resiliency.
       (10) According to the Surgeon General's Conference on 
     Children's Mental Health: A National Action Agenda, the 
     mental health and resiliency of children can be ensured by 
     methods that promote public awareness of children's mental 
     health issues and reduce stigma associated with mental 
     illness, continue to develop, disseminate, and implement 
     evidence-based and promising prevention and treatment 
     services in the field of children's mental health, improve 
     the assessment of and recognition of mental health needs in 
     children, eliminate racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic 
     disparities in access to mental healthcare services, improve 
     the infrastructure for children's mental health services, 
     including support for evidence-based and promising 
     interventions across professions, increase access to and 
     coordination of quality mental healthcare services, train 
     frontline providers to recognize and manage mental health 
     issues and educate mental healthcare providers about 
     evidence-based and promising prevention and treatment 
     services, and monitor the access to and coordination of 
     quality mental healthcare services.
       (11) According to the President's New Freedom Commission on 
     Mental Health, the country's mental health delivery system 
     can be successfully transformed by methods that ensure 
     Americans understand that mental health is essential to 
     overall health, ensure mental health care is consumer and 
     family-driven, eliminate disparities in mental healthcare 
     services, ensure early mental health screening, assessment, 
     and referral services are common practices, ensure that 
     excellent mental health care is delivered and research is 
     accelerated, and ensure that technology is used to access 
     mental health care and information.

TITLE I--STATE AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES CONCERNING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF 
                        CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

     SEC. 101. GRANTS CONCERNING COMPREHENSIVE STATE MENTAL HEALTH 
                   PLANS.

       Subpart 3 of part B of title V of the Public Health Service 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-31 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
     after section 520A, the following:

     ``SEC. 520B. COMPREHENSIVE STATE MENTAL HEALTH PLANS.

       ``(a) Grants.--The Secretary, acting through the Center for 
     Mental Health Services, shall award a 1-year, non-renewable 
     grant to, or enter into a 1-year cooperative agreement with, 
     a State for the development and implementation by the State 
     of a comprehensive State mental health plan that exclusively 
     meets the mental health needs of children and adolescents, 
     including providing for early intervention, prevention, and 
     recovery oriented services and supports for children and 
     adolescents, such as mental and primary health care, 
     education, transportation, and housing.
       ``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under this section a State shall submit 
     to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
     and containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
     including--
       ``(1) a certification by the governor of the State that the 
     governor will be responsible for overseeing the development 
     and implementation of the comprehensive State mental health 
     plan; and
       ``(2) the signature of the governor of the State.
       ``(c) Requirements.--The Comprehensive State Plan shall 
     include the following:
       ``(1) An evaluation of all the components of the current 
     mental health system in the State, including the estimated 
     number of children and adolescents requiring and receiving 
     mental health services, as well as support services such as 
     primary health care, education, and housing.
       ``(2) A description of the long-term objectives of the 
     State for policies concerning children and adolescents with 
     mental disorders. Such objectives shall include--
       ``(A) the provision of early intervention and prevention 
     services to children and adolescents with, or who are at risk 
     for, mental health disorders that are integrated with school 
     systems, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, 
     substance abuse programs, mental health programs, primary 
     care programs, foster care systems, child welfare systems, 
     and other child and adolescent support organizations;
       ``(B) a demonstrated collaboration among agencies that 
     provide early intervention and prevention services or a 
     certification that entities will engage in such future 
     collaboration;
       ``(C) implementing or providing for the evaluation of 
     children and adolescents mental health services that are 
     adapted to the local community;
       ``(D) implementing collaborative activities concerning 
     child and adolescent mental health early intervention and 
     prevention services;
       ``(E) the provision of timely appropriate community-based 
     mental health care and treatment of children and adolescents 
     in child and adolescent-serving settings and agencies;
       ``(F) the provision of adequate support and information 
     resources to families of children and adolescents with, or 
     who are at risk for, mental health disorders;
       ``(G) the provision of adequate support and information 
     resources to advocacy organizations that serve children and 
     adolescents with, or who are at risk for, mental health 
     disorders, and their families;
       ``(H) identifying and offering access to services and care 
     to children and adolescents and their families with diverse 
     linguistic and cultural backgrounds;
       ``(I) identifying and offering equal access to services in 
     all geographic regions of the State;
       ``(J) identifying and offering appropriate access to 
     services in geographical regions of the State with above-
     average occurrences of child and adolescent mental health 
     disorders;
       ``(K) identifying and offering appropriate access to 
     services in geographical regions of the State with above-
     average rates of children and adolescents with co-occurring 
     mental health and substance abuse disorders;
       ``(L) offering continuous and up-to-date information to, 
     and carrying out awareness campaigns that target children and 
     adolescents, parents, legal guardians, family members, 
     primary care professionals, mental health professionals, 
     child care professionals, health care providers, and the 
     general public and that highlight the risk factors associated 
     with mental health disorders and the life-saving help and 
     care available from early intervention and prevention 
     services;
       ``(M) ensuring that information and awareness campaigns on 
     mental health disorder risk factors, and early intervention 
     and prevention services, use effective and culturally-
     appropriate communication mechanisms that are targeted to and 
     reach children and adolescents, families, schools, 
     educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance 
     abuse programs, mental health programs, primary care 
     programs,

[[Page 14859]]

     foster care systems, child welfare systems, and other child 
     and adolescent support organizations;
       ``(N) implementing a system to ensure that primary care 
     professionals, mental health professionals, and school and 
     child care professionals are properly trained in evidence-
     based best practices in child and adolescent mental health 
     early intervention and prevention, treatment and 
     rehabilitation services and that those professionals involved 
     with providing early intervention and prevention services are 
     properly trained in effectively identifying children and 
     adolescents with or who are at risk for mental health 
     disorders;
       ``(O) the provision of continuous training activities for 
     primary care professionals, mental health professionals, and 
     school and child care professionals on evidence-based or 
     promising best practices;
       ``(P) the provision of continuous training activities for 
     primary care professionals, mental health professionals, and 
     school and child care professionals on family and consumer 
     involvement and participation;
       ``(Q) conducting annual self-evaluations of all outcomes 
     and activities, including consulting with interested families 
     and advocacy organizations for children and adolescents.
       ``(3) A cost-assessment relating to the development and 
     implementation of the State plan and a description of how the 
     State will measure performance and outcomes across relevant 
     agencies and service systems.
       ``(4) A timeline for achieving the objectives described in 
     paragraph (2).
       ``(5) An outline for achieving the sustainability of the 
     objectives described in paragraph (2).
       ``(d) Application of Other Requirements.--The authorities 
     and duties of State mental health planning councils provided 
     for under sections 1914 and 1915 with respect to State mental 
     health block grant planning shall apply to the development 
     and the implementation of the comprehensive State mental 
     health plan.
       ``(e) Participation and Implementation.--
       ``(1) Participation.--In developing and implementing the 
     comprehensive State mental health plan under a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under this section, the State shall 
     ensure the participation of the State agency heads 
     responsible for child and adolescent mental health, substance 
     abuse, child welfare, medicaid, public health, developmental 
     disabilities, social services, juvenile justice, housing, and 
     education.
       ``(2) Consultation.--In developing and implementing the 
     comprehensive State mental health plan under a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under this section, the State shall 
     consult with--
       ``(A) the Federal interagency coordinating committee 
     established under section 401 of the Child and Adolescent 
     Mental Health Resiliency Act of 2007;
       ``(B) State and local agencies, including agencies 
     responsible for child and adolescent mental health care, 
     early intervention and prevention services under titles IV, 
     V, and XIX of the Social Security Act, and the State's 
     Children's Health Insurance Program under title XXI of the 
     Social Security Act;
       ``(C) State mental health planning councils (described in 
     section 1914);
       ``(D) national, State, and local advocacy organizations 
     that serve children and adolescents with or who are at risk 
     for mental health disorders and their families;
       ``(E) relevant national medical and other health 
     professional and education specialty organizations;
       ``(F) children and adolescents with mental health disorders 
     and children and adolescents who are currently receiving 
     early intervention or prevention services;
       ``(G) families and friends of children and adolescents with 
     mental health disorders and children and adolescents who are 
     currently receiving early intervention or prevention 
     services;
       ``(H) families and friends of children and adolescents who 
     have attempted or completed suicide;
       ``(I) qualified professionals who possess the specialized 
     knowledge, skills, experience, training, or relevant 
     attributes needed to serve children and adolescents with or 
     who are at risk for mental health disorders and their 
     families; and
       ``(J) third-party payers, managed care organizations, and 
     related employer and commercial industries.
       ``(3) Signature.--The Governor of the State shall sign the 
     comprehensive State mental health plan application and be 
     responsible for overseeing the development and implementation 
     of the plan.
       ``(f) Satisfaction of Other Federal Requirements.--A State 
     may utilize the comprehensive State mental health plan that 
     meets the requirements of this section to satisfy the 
     planning requirements of other Federal mental health programs 
     administered by the Secretary, including as the Community 
     Mental Health Services Block Grant and the Children's Mental 
     Health Services Program, so long as the requirements of such 
     programs are satisfied through the plan.
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 102. GRANTS CONCERNING EARLY INTERVENTION AND 
                   PREVENTION.

       Title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa 
     et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

            ``PART K--MISCELLANEOUS MENTAL HEALTH PROVISIONS

     ``SEC. 597. GRANTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT SERVICES.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award 5-year 
     matching grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements 
     with, community health centers that receive assistance under 
     section 330 to enable such centers to provide child and 
     adolescent mental health early intervention and prevention 
     services to eligible children and adolescents, and to provide 
     referral services to, or early intervention and prevention 
     services in coordination with, community mental health 
     centers and other appropriately trained providers of care.
       ``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under subsection (a) an entity shall--
       ``(1) be a community health center that receives assistance 
     under section 330;
       ``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require;
       ``(3) provide assurances that the entity will have 
     appropriately qualified behavioral health professional staff 
     to ensure prompt treatment or triage for referral to a 
     speciality agency or provider; and
       ``(4) provide assurances that the entity will encourage 
     formal coordination with community mental health centers and 
     other appropriate providers to ensure continuity of care.
       ``(c) Identification.--In providing services with amounts 
     received under a grant or cooperative agreement under this 
     section, an entity shall ensure that appropriate screening 
     tools are used to identify at-risk children and adolescents 
     who are eligible to receive care from a community health 
     centers.
       ``(d) Matching Requirement.--With respect to the costs of 
     the activities to be carried out by an entity under a grant 
     or cooperative agreement under this section, an entity shall 
     provide assurances that the entity will make available 
     (directly or through donations from public or private 
     entities) non-Federal contributions towards such costs in an 
     amount that is not less than $1 for each $1 of Federal funds 
     provided under the grant or cooperative agreement.

     ``SEC. 597A. GRANTS FOR PRIMARY CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH EARLY 
                   INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION SERVICES.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award 5-year 
     matching grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements 
     with, States, political subdivisions of States, consortium of 
     political subdivisions, tribal organizations, public 
     organizations, or private nonprofit organizations to enable 
     such entities to provide assistance to mental health programs 
     for early intervention and prevention services to children 
     and adolescents with, or who are at-risk of, mental health 
     disorders and that are in primary care settings.
       ``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under subsection (a) an entity shall--
       ``(1) be a State, a political subdivision of a State, a 
     consortia of political subdivisions, a tribal organization, a 
     public organization, or private nonprofit organization; and
       ``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       ``(c) Use of Funds.--An entity shall use amounts received 
     under a grant or cooperative agreement under this section 
     to--
       ``(1) provide appropriate child and adolescent mental 
     health early intervention and prevention assessment services;
       ``(2) provide appropriate child and adolescent mental 
     health treatment services;
       ``(3) provide monitoring and referral for specialty 
     treatment of medical or surgical conditions for children and 
     adolescents ; and
       ``(4) facilitate networking between primary care 
     professionals, mental health professionals, and child care 
     professionals for--
       ``(A) case management development;
       ``(B) professional mentoring; and
       ``(C) enhancing the provision of mental health services in 
     schools.
       ``(d) Matching Requirements.--With respect to the costs of 
     the activities to be carried out by an entity under a grant 
     or cooperative agreement under this section, an entity shall 
     provide assurances that the entity will make available 
     (directly or through donations from public or private 
     entities) non-Federal contributions towards such costs in an 
     amount that is not less than $1 for each $1 of Federal funds 
     provided under the grant or cooperative agreement.

     ``SEC. 597B. GRANTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND PRIMARY CARE EARLY 
                   INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION SERVICES.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award 5-year 
     matching grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements 
     with, States, political subdivisions of States, consortium of 
     political subdivisions, tribal organizations, public 
     organizations, or private nonprofit organizations to enable 
     such entities to provide assistance to primary care programs 
     for children and adolescents with, or who are at-risk of, 
     mental health disorders who are in mental health settings.

[[Page 14860]]

       ``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under subsection (a) an entity shall--
       ``(1) be a State, a political subdivision of a State, a 
     consortia of political subdivisions, a tribal organization, 
     or a private nonprofit organization; and
       ``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       ``(c) Use of Funds.--An entity shall use amounts received 
     under a grant or cooperative agreement under this section 
     to--
       ``(1) provide appropriate primary health care services, 
     including screening, routine treatment, monitoring, and 
     referral for specialty treatment of medical or surgical 
     conditions;
       ``(2) provide appropriate monitoring of medical conditions 
     of children and adolescents receiving mental health services 
     from the applicant and refer them, as needed, for specialty 
     treatment of medical or surgical conditions; and
       ``(3) facilitate networking between primary care 
     professionals, mental health professionals and child care 
     professionals for--
       ``(A) case management development; and
       ``(B) professional mentoring.
       ``(d) Matching Funds.--With respect to the costs of the 
     activities to be carried out by an entity under a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under this section, an entity shall 
     provide assurances that the entity will make available 
     (directly or through donations from public or private 
     entities) non-Federal contributions towards such costs in an 
     amount that is not less than $1 for each $1 of Federal funds 
     provided under the grant or cooperative agreement.

     ``SEC. 597C. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     sections 597, 597A, and 597B, $45,000,000 for fiscal year 
     2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
     years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 103. ACTIVITIES CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN 
                   SCHOOLS.

       (a) Efforts of Secretary to Improve the Mental Health of 
     Students.--The Secretary of Education, in collaboration with 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall--
       (1) encourage elementary and secondary schools and 
     educational institutions to address mental health issues 
     facing children and adolescents by--
       (A) identifying children and adolescents with, or who are 
     at-risk for, mental health disorders;
       (B) providing or linking children and adolescents to 
     appropriate mental health services and supports; and
       (C) assisting families, including providing families with 
     resources on mental health services for children and 
     adolescents and a link to relevant local and national 
     advocacy and support organizations;
       (2) collaborate on expanding and fostering a mental health 
     promotion and early intervention strategy with respect to 
     children and adolescents that focuses on emotional well being 
     and resiliency and fosters academic achievement;
       (3) encourage elementary and secondary schools and 
     educational institutions to use positive behavioral support 
     procedures and functional behavioral assessments on a school-
     wide basis as an alternative to suspending or expelling 
     children and adolescents with or who are at risk for mental 
     health needs; and
       (4) provide technical assistance to elementary and 
     secondary schools and educational institutions to implement 
     the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3).
       (b) Grants.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Education, in 
     collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services, shall award grants to, or enter into cooperative 
     agreements with, States, political subdivisions of States, 
     consortium of political subdivisions, tribal organizations, 
     public organizations, private nonprofit organizations, 
     elementary and secondary schools, and other educational 
     institutions to provide directly or provide access to mental 
     health services and case management of services in elementary 
     and secondary schools and other educational settings.
       (2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) an entity shall--
       (A) be a State, a political subdivision of a State, a 
     consortia of political subdivisions, a tribal organization, a 
     public organization, a private nonprofit organization, an 
     elementary or secondary school, or an educational 
     institution; and
       (B) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require, including an assurance that the 
     entity will--
       (i) provide directly or provide access to early 
     intervention and prevention services in settings with an 
     above average rate of children and adolescents with mental 
     health disorders;
       (ii) provide directly or provide access to early 
     intervention and prevention services in settings with an 
     above average rate of children and adolescents with co-
     occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders; and
       (iii) demonstrate a broad collaboration of parents, primary 
     care professionals, school and mental health professionals, 
     child care processionals including those in educational 
     settings, legal guardians, and all relevant local agencies 
     and organizations in the application for, and administration 
     of, the grant or cooperative agreement.
       (3) Use of funds.--An entity shall use amounts received 
     under a grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection 
     to provide--
       (A) mental health identification services;
       (B) early intervention and prevention services to children 
     and adolescents with or who are at-risk of mental health 
     disorders; and
       (C) mental health-related training to primary care 
     professionals, school and mental health professionals, and 
     child care professionals, including those in educational 
     settings.
       (c) Counseling and Behavioral Support Guidelines.--The 
     Secretary of Education, in collaboration with the Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services, shall develop and issue 
     guidelines to elementary and secondary schools and 
     educational institutions that encourage such schools and 
     institutions to provide counseling and positive behavioral 
     supports, including referrals for needed early intervention 
     and prevention services, treatment, and rehabilitation to 
     children and adolescents who are disruptive or who use drugs 
     and show signs or symptoms of mental health disorders. Such 
     schools and institutions shall be encouraged to provide such 
     services to children and adolescents in lieu of suspension, 
     expulsion, or transfer to a juvenile justice system without 
     any support referral services or system of care.
       (d) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Government Accountability Office shall 
     conduct a study to assess the scientific validity of the 
     Federal definition of a child or adolescent with an 
     ``emotional disturbance'' as provided for in the regulations 
     of the Department of Education under the Individuals with 
     Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), and 
     whether, as written, such definition now excludes children 
     and adolescents inappropriately through a determination that 
     those children and adolescents are ``socially maladjusted''.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Government Accountability Office 
     shall submit to the appropriated committees of Congress a 
     report concerning the results of the study conducted under 
     paragraph (1).
       (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed--
       (1) to supercede the provisions of section 444 of the 
     General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g), including 
     the requirement of prior parental consent for the disclosure 
     of any education records; and
       (2) to modify or affect the parental notification 
     requirements for programs authorized under the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $22,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.

     SEC. 104. ACTIVITIES CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES UNDER 
                   THE EARLY AND PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSTIC, 
                   AND TREATMENT SERVICES PROGRAM.

       (a) Notification.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for 
     Medicare and Medicaid Services, shall notify State Medicaid 
     agencies of--
       (1) obligations under section 1905(r) of the Social 
     Security Act with respect to the identification of children 
     and adolescents with mental health disorders and of the 
     availability of validated mechanisms that aid pediatricians 
     and other primary care professionals to incorporate such 
     activities; and
       (2) information on financing mechanisms that such agencies 
     may use to reimburse primary care professionals, mental 
     health professionals, and child care professionals who 
     provide mental health services as authorized under such 
     definition of early and period screening, diagnostic, and 
     treatment services.
       (b) Requirements.--State Medicaid agencies who receive 
     funds for early and period screening, diagnostic, and 
     treatment services funding shall provide an annual report to 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services that--
       (1) analyzes the rates of eligible children and adolescents 
     who receive mental health identification services of the type 
     described in subsection (a)(1) under the medicaid program in 
     the State;
       (2) analyzes the ways in which such agency has used 
     financing mechanisms to reimburse primary care professionals, 
     mental health professionals, and child care professionals who 
     provide such mental health services;
       (3) identifies State program rules and funding policies 
     that may impede such agency from meeting fully the Federal 
     requirements with respect to such services under the medicaid 
     program; and
       (4) makes recommendations on how to overcome the 
     impediments identified under paragraph (3).

[[Page 14861]]



     SEC. 105. ACTIVITIES CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR 
                   AT-RISK MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

       Title V of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 511. ENHANCING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR AT-RISK 
                   MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

       ``(a) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants to, or 
     enter into cooperative agreements with, States, political 
     subdivisions of States, consortium of political subdivisions, 
     tribal organizations, public organizations, and private 
     nonprofit organizations to provide appropriate mental health 
     promotion and mental health services to at-risk mothers, 
     grandmothers who are legal guardians, and their children.
       ``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under subsection (a) an entity shall--
       ``(1) be a State, a political subdivision of a State, a 
     consortia of political subdivisions, a tribal organization, a 
     public organization, or a private nonprofit organization; and
       ``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       ``(c) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under this section shall be used to--
       ``(1) provide mental health early intervention, prevention, 
     and case management services;
       ``(2) provide mental health treatment services; and
       ``(3) provide monitoring and referral for specialty 
     treatment of medical or surgical conditions.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $20,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 106. ACTIVITIES CONCERNING INTERAGENCY CASE MANAGEMENT.

       Part L of title V of the Public Health Service Act, as 
     added by section 102, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 597D. INTERAGENCY CASE MANAGEMENT.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program 
     to foster the ability of local case managers to work across 
     the mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, education, 
     and juvenile justice systems in a State. As part of such 
     program, the Secretary shall develop a model system that--
       ``(1) establishes a training curriculum for primary care 
     professionals, mental health professionals, school and child 
     care professionals, and social workers who work as case 
     managers;
       ``(2) establishes uniform standards for working in multiple 
     service systems; and
       ``(3) establishes a cross-system case manager certification 
     process.
       ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 107. GRANTS CONCERNING CONSUMER AND FAMILY 
                   PARTICIPATION.

       Part K of title V of the Public Health Service Act, as 
     added by section 102 and amended by section 106, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 597E. CONSUMER AND FAMILY CONTROL IN CHILD AND 
                   ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE DECISIONS.

       ``(a) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants to, or 
     enter into cooperative agreements with, States, political 
     subdivisions of States, consortium of political subdivisions, 
     and tribal organizations for the development of policies and 
     mechanisms that enable consumers and families to have 
     increased control and choice over child and adolescent mental 
     health services received through a publicly-funded mental 
     health system.
       ``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under subsection (a) an entity shall--
       ``(1) be a State, a political subdivision of a State, a 
     consortia of political subdivisions, or a tribal 
     organization; and
       ``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       ``(c) Use of Funds.--An entity shall use amounts received 
     under a grant or cooperative agreement under this section to 
     carry out the activities described in subsection (a). Such 
     activities may include--
       ``(1) the facilitation of mental health service planning 
     meetings by consumer and family advocates, particularly peer 
     advocates;
       ``(2) the development of consumer and family cooperatives; 
     and
       ``(3) the facilitation of national networking between State 
     political subdivisions and tribal organizations engaged in 
     promoting increased consumer and family participation in 
     decisions regarding mental health services for children and 
     adolescents.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 108. GRANTS CONCERNING INFORMATION ON CHILD AND 
                   ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

       Part K of title V of the Public Health Service Act, as 
     added by section 102 and amended by section 107, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 597F. INCREASED INFORMATION ON CHILD AND ADOLESCENT 
                   MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

       ``(a) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants to, or 
     enter into cooperative agreements with, private nonprofit 
     organizations to enable such organizations to provide 
     information on child and adolescent mental health and 
     services, consumer or parent-to-parent support services, 
     respite care, and other relevant support services to--
       ``(1) parents and legal guardians of children or 
     adolescents with or who are at risk for mental health 
     disorders; and
       ``(2) families of adolescents with or who are at risk for 
     mental health disorders.
       ``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under subsection (a) an entity shall--
       ``(1) be a private, nonprofit organization; and
       ``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 109. ACTIVITIES CONCERNING PUBLIC EDUCATION OF CHILD AND 
                   ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND 
                   SERVICES.

       Part K of title V of the Public Health Service Act, as 
     added by section 102 and amended by section 108, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 597G. ACTIVITIES CONCERNING PUBLIC EDUCATION OF CHILD 
                   AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND 
                   SERVICES.

       ``(a) Educational Campaign.--The Secretary shall develop, 
     coordinate, and implement an educational campaign to increase 
     public understanding of mental health promotion, child and 
     adolescent emotional well-being and resiliency, and risk 
     factors associated with mental health disorders in children 
     and adolescents.
       ``(b) Grants.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to, or 
     enter into cooperative agreements with, public and private 
     nonprofit organizations with qualified experience in public 
     education to build community coalitions and increase public 
     awareness of mental health promotion, child and adolescent 
     emotional well-being and resiliency, and risk factors 
     associated with mental health disorders in children and 
     adolescents.
       ``(2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under paragraph (1), an entity shall--
       ``(A) be a public or private nonprofit organization; and
       ``(B) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       ``(3) Use of funds.--Amounts received under a grant or 
     contract under this subsection shall be used to--
       ``(A) develop community coalitions to support the purposes 
     of paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) develop and implement public education activities 
     that compliment the activities described in subsection (a) 
     and support the purposes of paragraph (1).
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 110. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER CONCERNING TRAINING AND 
                   SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS.

       Part K of title V of the Public Health Service Act, as 
     added by section 102 and amended by section 109, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 597H. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER CONCERNING SECLUSION 
                   AND RESTRAINTS.

       ``(a) Seclusion and Restraints.--Acting through the 
     technical assistance center established under subsection (b), 
     the Secretary shall--
       ``(1) develop and disseminate educational materials that 
     encourage ending the use of seclusion and restraints in all 
     facilities or programs in which a child or adolescent resides 
     or receives care or services;
       ``(2) gather, analyze, and disseminate information on best 
     or promising best practices that can minimize conflicts 
     between parents, legal guardians, primary care professionals, 
     mental health professionals, school and child care 
     professionals to create a safe environment for children and 
     adolescents with mental health disorders; and
       ``(3) provide training for primary professionals, mental 
     health professionals, and school and child care professionals 
     on effective techniques or practices that serve as 
     alternatives to coercive control interventions, including 
     techniques to reduce challenging, aggressive, and resistant 
     behaviors, that require seclusion and restraints.
       ``(b) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Secretary shall consult with--
       ``(1) local and national advocacy organizations that serve 
     children and adolescents

[[Page 14862]]

     who may require the use of seclusion and restraints, and 
     their families;
       ``(2) relevant national medical and other health and 
     education specialty organizations; and
       ``(3) qualified professionals who possess the specialized 
     knowledge, skills, experience, and relevant attributes needed 
     to serve children and adolescents who may require the use of 
     seclusion and restraints, and their families.
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $5,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 111. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS CONCERNING CONSUMER 
                   AND FAMILY PARTICIPATION.

       Part K of title V of the Public Health Service Act, as 
     added by section 102 and amended by section 110, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 597I. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS CONCERNING CONSUMER 
                   AND FAMILY PARTICIPATION.

       ``(a) Grants.--The Secretary shall award 5-year grants to, 
     or enter into cooperative agreements with, private nonprofit 
     organizations for the development and implementation of three 
     technical assistance centers to support full consumer and 
     family participation in decision-making about mental health 
     services for children and adolescents.
       ``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under subsection (a) an entity shall--
       ``(1) be a private, nonprofit organization that 
     demonstrates the ability to establish and maintain a 
     technical assistance center described in this section; and
       ``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       ``(c) Use of Funds.--An entity shall use amounts received 
     under a grant or cooperative agreement under this section to 
     establish a technical assistance center of the type referred 
     to in subsection (a). Through such center, the entity shall--
       ``(1) collect and disseminate information on mental health 
     disorders and risk factors for mental health disorders in 
     children and adolescents;
       ``(2) collect and disseminate information on available 
     resources for specific mental health disorders, including co-
     occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders;
       ``(3) disseminate information to help consumers and 
     families engage in illness self management activities and 
     access services and resources on mental health disorder self-
     management;
       ``(4) support the activities of self-help organizations;
       ``(5) support the training of peer specialists, family 
     specialists, primary care professionals, mental health 
     professionals, and child care professionals;
       ``(6) provide assistance to consumer and family-delivered 
     service programs and resources in meeting their operational 
     and programmatic needs; and
       ``(7) provide assistance to consumers and families that 
     participate in mental health system advisory bodies, 
     including state mental health planning councils.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $5,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 112. COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR 
                   CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL 
                   DISTURBANCES.

       Section 561 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     290ff) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting before the 
     semicolon the following: ``and provides assurances that the 
     State will use grant funds in accordance with the 
     comprehensive State mental health plan submitted under 
     section 520B''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Review of possible impediments.--A State may use 
     amounts received under a grant under this section to conduct 
     an interagency review of State mental health program rules 
     and funding policies that may impede the development of the 
     comprehensive State mental health plan submitted under 
     section 520B.''.

     SEC. 113. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PERFORMANCE 
                   PARTNERSHIP BLOCK GRANT.

       Section 1912(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     300x-2(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) Performance measures.--The plan requires that 
     performance measures be reported for adults and children 
     separately.
       ``(7) Other mental health services.--In addition to 
     reporting on mental health services funded under a community 
     mental health services performance partnership block grant, 
     States are encouraged to report on all mental health services 
     provided by the State mental health agency.''.

     SEC. 114. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 1912(b) of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-2(b)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(8) Co-occurring treatment services.--The plan provides 
     for a system of support for the provision of co-occurring 
     treatment services, including early intervention and 
     prevention, and integrated mental health and substance abuse 
     and services, for children and adolescents with co-occurring 
     mental health and substance abuse disorders. Services shall 
     be provided through the system under this paragraph in 
     accordance with the Substance Abuse Prevention Treatment 
     Block Grant program under subpart II.''.
       (b) Guidelines for Integrated Treatment Services.--Section 
     1915 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-4) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Guidelines for Integrated Treatment Services.--The 
     Secretary shall issue written policy guidelines for use by 
     States that describe how amounts received under a grant under 
     this subpart may be used to fund integrated treatment 
     services for children and adolescents with mental health 
     disorders and with co-occurring mental health and substance 
     abuse disorders.
       ``(d) Model Service Systems Forum.--The Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Attorney General, shall periodically 
     convene forums to develop model service systems and promote 
     awareness of the needs of children and adolescents with co-
     occurring mental health disorders and to facilitate the 
     development of policies to meet those needs.''.
       (c) Substance Abuse Grants.--Section 1928 of the Public 
     Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-28) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(e) Co-Occurring Treatment Services.--A State may use 
     amounts received under a grant under this subpart to provide 
     a system of support for the provision of co-occurring 
     treatment services, including early intervention and 
     prevention, and integrated mental health and substance abuse 
     services, for children and adolescents with co-occurring 
     mental health and substance abuse disorders. Services shall 
     be provided through the system under this paragraph in 
     accordance with the Community Mental Health Services Block 
     Grant program under subpart I.
       ``(f) Guidelines for Integrated Treatment Services.--The 
     Secretary shall issue written policy guidelines, for use by 
     States, that describe how amounts received under a grant 
     under this section may be used to fund integrated treatment 
     for children and adolescents with co-occurring substance 
     abuse and mental health disorders, including the 
     transitioning to adulthood.''.

     SEC. 115. GRANTS FOR JAIL DIVERSION PROGRAMS.

       Section 520G of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     290bb-38)--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``up to 125'';
       (2) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting 
     a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) provide appropriate community-based mental health and 
     co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse services to 
     children and adolescents determined to be at risk of contact 
     with the law; and
       ``(6) provide for the inclusion of emergency mental health 
     centers as part of jail diversion programs.''; and
       (3) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following: 
     ``As part of such evaluations, the grantee shall evaluate the 
     effectiveness of activities carried out under the grant and 
     submit reports on such evaluations to the Secretary.''.

     SEC. 116. ACTIVITIES CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR 
                   JUVENILE JUSTICE POPULATIONS.

       (a) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants to, or enter 
     into cooperative agreements with, States, tribal 
     organizations, political subdivisions of States, consortia of 
     political subdivisions, public organizations, and private 
     nonprofit organizations to provide mental health promotions 
     and mental health services to children and adolescents in 
     juvenile justice systems.
       (b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under subsection (a), an entity shall--
       (1) be a State, a tribal organization, a political 
     subdivision of a State, a consortia of political 
     subdivisions, a public organization, or a private nonprofit 
     organization; and
       (2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       (c) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under this section shall be used to--
       (1) provide mental health early intervention, prevention, 
     and case management services;
       (2) provide mental health treatment services; and
       (3) provide monitoring and referral for specialty treatment 
     of medical or surgical conditions.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.

[[Page 14863]]



   TITLE II--FEDERAL INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

     SEC. 201. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE CONCERNING THE 
                   MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary''), in 
     collaboration with the Federal officials described in 
     subsection (b), shall establish an interagency coordinating 
     committee (referred to in this section as the ``Committee'') 
     to carry out the activities described in this section 
     relating to the mental health of children and adolescents.
       (b) Federal Officials.--The Federal officials described in 
     this subsection are the following:
       (1) The Secretary of Education.
       (2) The Attorney General.
       (3) The Surgeon General.
       (4) The Secretary of the Department of Defense.
       (5) The Secretary of the Interior.
       (6) The Commissioner of Social Security.
       (7) Such other Federal officials as the Secretary 
     determines to be appropriate.
       (c) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall serve as the 
     chairperson of the Committee.
       (d) Duties.--The Committee shall be responsible for policy 
     development across the Federal Government with respect to 
     child and adolescent mental health.
       (e) Collaboration and Consultation.--In carrying out the 
     activities described in this Act, and the amendments made by 
     this Act, the Secretary shall collaborate with the Committee 
     (and the Committee shall collaborate with relevant Federal 
     agencies and mental health working groups responsible for 
     child and adolescent mental health).
       (f) Consultation.--In carrying out the activities described 
     in this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, the 
     Secretary and the Committee shall consult with--
       (1) State and local agencies, including agencies 
     responsible for child and adolescent mental health care, 
     early intervention and prevention services under titles V and 
     XIX of the Social Security Act, and the State Children's 
     Health Insurance Program under title XXI of the Social 
     Security Act;
       (2) State mental health planning councils (as described in 
     section 1914);
       (3) local and national organizations that serve children 
     and adolescents with or who are at risk for mental health 
     disorders and their families;
       (4) relevant national medical and other health professional 
     and education specialty organizations;
       (5) children and adolescents with mental health disorders 
     and children and adolescents who are currently receiving 
     early intervention or prevention services;
       (6) families and friends of children and adolescents with 
     mental health disorders and children and adolescents who are 
     currently receiving early intervention or prevention 
     services;
       (7) families and friends of children and adolescents who 
     have attempted or completed suicide;
       (8) qualified professionals who possess the specialized 
     knowledge, skills, experience, training, or relevant 
     attributes needed to serve children and adolescents with or 
     who are at risk for mental health disorders and their 
     families; and
       (9) third-party payers, managed care organizations, and 
     related employer and commercial industries.
       (g) Policy Development.--In carrying out the activities 
     described in this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, 
     the Secretary shall--
       (1) coordinate and collaborate on policy development at the 
     Federal level with the Committee, relevant Department of 
     Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and 
     Department of Justice agencies, and child and adolescent 
     mental health working groups; and
       (2) consult on policy development at the Federal level with 
     the private sector, including consumer, medical, mental 
     health advocacy groups, and other health and education 
     professional-based organizations, with respect to child and 
     adolescent mental health early intervention and prevention 
     services.
       (h) Reports.--
       (1) Initial report.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Committee shall submit to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes--
       (A) the results of an evaluation to be conducted by the 
     Committee to analyze the effectiveness and efficacy of 
     current activities concerning the mental health of children 
     and adolescents;
       (B) the results of an evaluation to be conducted by the 
     Committee to analyze the effectiveness and efficacy of the 
     activities carried out under grants, cooperative agreements, 
     collaborations, and consultations under this Act, the 
     amendments made by this Act, and carried out by existing 
     Federal agencies;
       (C) the results of an evaluation to be conducted by the 
     Committee to analyze identified problems and challenges, 
     including--
       (i) fragmented mental health service delivery systems for 
     children and adolescents;
       (ii) disparities between Federal agencies in mental health 
     service eligibility requirements for children and 
     adolescents;
       (iii) disparities in regulatory policies of Federal 
     agencies concerning child and adolescent mental health;
       (iv) inflexibility of Federal finance systems to support 
     evidence-based child and adolescent mental health;
       (v) insufficient training of primary care professionals, 
     mental health professionals, and child care professionals;
       (vi) disparities and fragmentation of collection and 
     dissemination of information concerning child and adolescent 
     mental health services;
       (vii) inability of State Medicaid agencies to meet Federal 
     requirements concerning child and adolescent mental health 
     under the early and period screening, diagnostics and 
     treatment services requirements under the medicaid program 
     under title XIX of the Social Security Act; and
       (viii) fractured Federal interagency collaboration and 
     consultation concerning child and adolescent mental health;
       (D) the recommendations of the Secretary on models and 
     methods with which to overcome the problems and challenges 
     described in subparagraph (B).
       (2) Annual report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
     which the initial report is submitted under paragraph (1), an 
     annually thereafter, the Committee shall submit to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the 
     results of updated evaluations and recommendations described 
     in paragraph (1).
       (i) Flexible Joint-Funding Programs.--
       (1) In general.--In carrying out the activities described 
     in subsection (h), Federal officials participating in the 
     Committee may, notwithstanding any other law, enter into 
     interagency agreements for the purposes of establishing 
     flexible joint-funding programs, and each official may 
     allocate discretionary funds appropriated to that agency to 
     such flexible joint-funding programs.
       (2) Program purposes.--Flexible joint funding programs as 
     described in paragraph (1) may include demonstration projects 
     that address and eliminate the--
       (A) fragmented mental health service delivery systems for 
     children and adolescents;
       (B) disparities between Federal agencies in mental health 
     service eligibility requirements for children and 
     adolescents;
       (C) disparities in regulatory policies of Federal agencies 
     concerning child and adolescent mental health;
       (D) inflexibility of Federal finance systems to support 
     evidence-based child and adolescent mental health;
       (E) insufficient training of primary care professionals, 
     mental health professionals, and child care professionals;
       (F) disparities and fragmentation of collection and 
     dissemination of information concerning child and adolescent 
     mental health services; and
       (G) inability of State Medicaid agencies to meet Federal 
     requirements concerning child and adolescent mental health 
     under the early and period screening, diagnostics, and 
     treatment services requirements under the Medicaid program 
     under title XIX of the Social Security Act.
       (j) Personnel Matters.--
       (1) Staff and compensation.--Except as provided in 
     paragraph (2), the Secretary may employ, and fix the 
     compensation of an executive director and other personnel of 
     the Committee without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
     and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States 
     Code, relating to classification of positions and General 
     Schedule pay rates.
       (2) Maximum rate of pay.--The maximum rate of pay for the 
     executive director and other personnel employed under 
     paragraph (1) shall not exceed the rate payable for level IV 
     of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, 
     United States Code.
       (k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.

TITLE III--RESEARCH ACTIVITIES CONCERNING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN 
                            AND ADOLESCENTS

     SEC. 301. ACTIVITIES CONCERNING EVIDENCE-BASED OR PROMISING 
                   BEST PRACTICES.

       Part K of title V of the Public Health Service Act, as 
     added by section 102 and amended by section 111, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 597J. ACTIVITIES CONCERNING EVIDENCE-BASED OR 
                   PROMISING BEST PRACTICES.

       ``(a) Grants.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to, and 
     enter into cooperative agreements with, States, political 
     subdivisions of States, consortia of political subdivisions, 
     tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, or 
     private nonprofit organizations for the development of child 
     and adolescent mental health services and support systems 
     that address widespread and critical gaps in a needed 
     continuum of mental health service-delivery with a specific 
     focus on encouraging the implementation of evidence-based or 
     promising best practices.
       ``(2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) an entity shall--

[[Page 14864]]

       ``(A) be a State, a political subdivision of a State, a 
     consortia of political subdivisions, a tribal organization, 
     an institution of higher education, or a private nonprofit 
     organization; and
       ``(B) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary may require.
       ``(3) Use of funds.--Amounts received under a grant or 
     cooperative agreement under this subsection shall be used to 
     provide for the development and dissemination of mental 
     health supports and services described in paragraph (1), 
     including--
       ``(A) early intervention and prevention services, treatment 
     and rehabilitation particularly for children and adolescents 
     with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse 
     disorders;
       ``(B) referral services;
       ``(C) integrated treatment services, including family 
     therapy, particularly for children and adolescents with co-
     occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders;
       ``(D) colocating primary care and mental health services in 
     rural and urban areas;
       ``(E) mentoring and other support services;
       ``(F) transition services;
       ``(G) respite care for parents, legal guardians, and 
     families; and
       ``(H) home-based care.
       ``(b) Technical Assistance Center.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a technical assistance center to assist entities 
     that receive a grant or cooperative agreement under 
     subsection (a) in--
       ``(1) identifying widespread and critical gaps in a needed 
     continuum of child and adolescent mental health service-
     delivery;
       ``(2) identifying and evaluating existing evidence-based or 
     promising best practices with respect to child and adolescent 
     mental health services and supports;
       ``(3) improving the child and adolescent mental health 
     service-delivery system by implementing evidence-based or 
     promising best practices;
       ``(4) training primary care professionals, mental health 
     professionals, and child care professionals on evidence-based 
     or promising best practices;
       ``(5) informing children and adolescents, parents, legal 
     guardians, families, advocacy organizations, and other 
     interested consumer organizations on such evidence-based or 
     promising best practices; and
       ``(6) identifying financing structures to support the 
     implementation of evidence-based or promising best practices 
     and providing assistance on how to build appropriate 
     financing structures to support those services.
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $12,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

     SEC. 302. FEDERAL RESEARCH CONCERNING ADOLESCENT MENTAL 
                   HEALTH.

       Part K of title V of the Public Health Service Act, as 
     added by section 201 and amended by section 301, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 597K. FEDERAL RESEARCH CONCERNING ADOLESCENT MENTAL 
                   HEALTH.

       ``(a) Best Practices.--The Secretary shall provide for the 
     conduct of research leading to the identification and 
     evaluation of evidence-based or promising best practices, 
     including--
       ``(1) early intervention and prevention mental health 
     services and systems, particularly for children and 
     adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance 
     abuse disorders;
       ``(2) mental health referral services;
       ``(3) integrated mental health treatment services, 
     particularly for children and adolescents with co-occurring 
     mental health and substance abuse disorders;
       ``(4) mentoring and other support services;
       ``(5) transition services; and
       ``(6) respite care for parents, legal guardians, and 
     families of children and adolescents.
       ``(b) Identification of Existing Disparities.--The 
     Secretary shall provide for the conduct of research leading 
     to the identification of factors contributing to the existing 
     disparities in children and adolescents mental health care in 
     areas including--
       ``(1) evidence-based early intervention and prevention, 
     diagnosis, referral, treatment, and monitoring services;
       ``(2) psychiatric and psychological epidemiology in racial 
     and ethnic minority populations;
       ``(3) therapeutic interventions in racial and ethnic 
     minority populations;
       ``(4) psychopharmacology;
       ``(5) mental health promotion and child and adolescent 
     emotional well-being and resiliency;
       ``(6) lack of adequate service delivery systems in urban 
     and rural regions; and
       ``(7) lack of adequate reimbursement rates for evidence-
     based early intervention and prevention, diagnosis, referral, 
     treatment, and monitoring services.
       ``(c) Psychotropic Medications.--The Secretary shall 
     provide for the conduct of research leading to the 
     identification of the long-term effects of psychotropic 
     medications and SSRIs and other pyschotropic medications for 
     children and adolescents.
       ``(d) Trauma.--The Secretary shall provide for the conduct 
     of research leading to the identification of the long-term 
     effects of trauma on the mental health of children and 
     adolescents, including the effects of--
       ``(1) violent crime, particularly sexual abuse;
       ``(2) physical or medical trauma;
       ``(3) post-traumatic stress disorders; and
       ``(4) terrorism and natural disasters.
       ``(e) Acute Care.--The Secretary shall provide for the 
     conduct of research leading to the identification of factors 
     contributing to problems in acute care. Such research shall 
     address--
       ``(1) synthesizing the acute care knowledge data base;
       ``(2) assessing existing capacities and shortages in acute 
     care;
       ``(3) reviewing existing model programs that exist to 
     ensure appropriate and effective acute care;
       ``(4) developing new models when appropriate; and
       ``(5) proposing workable solutions to enhance the delivery 
     of acute care and crisis intervention services.
       ``(f) Recovery and Rehabilitation.--The Secretary shall 
     provide for the conduct of research leading to the 
     identification of methods and models to enhance the recovery 
     and rehabilitation of children and adolescents with mental 
     health disorders.
       ``(g) Co-Occurring Disorders.--The Secretary shall provide 
     for the conduct of research leading to the identification of 
     methods and models to enhance services and supports for 
     children and adolescents with co-occurring mental health and 
     substance abuse and disorders.
       ``(h) Cost of Untreated Mental Health Disorders.--The 
     Secretary shall provide for the conduct of research assessing 
     long-term financial costs of mental health disorders left 
     untreated in children and adolescents.
       ``(i) Research Collaboration.--The Secretary shall provide 
     for the conduct of research that reviews existing scientific 
     literature on the relationship between mental and physical 
     health, particularly identifying new methods and models to 
     enhance the balance between mental and physical health in 
     children and adolescents.
       ``(j) Collaboration.--In carrying out the activities under 
     this section, the Secretary shall collaborate with the 
     Federal interagency coordinating committee established under 
     section 201 of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health 
     Resiliency Act of 2007, and relevant Federal agencies and 
     mental health working groups responsible for child and 
     adolescent mental health.
       ``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, $12,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each 
     of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.

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