H.R. 10760: Healthy Minds for a Better Future Act

This bill would create a Middle School Mental Health Task Force within the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.

What the task force would do

The task force would study and review what resources are available to help parents and educators identify and support middle school students who may be dealing with mental health issues. The review would include things like:

• online platforms
• professional mental health service providers
• community mental health providers
• other tools or resources related to mental health support

Who would be on it

The task force would have 12 members, including:

• the Secretary of Education
• the Secretary of Health and Human Services
• a representative of a school administration association
• a representative of a childhood mental health association
• one school counselor or educator from each of four regions of the country
• one parent of a middle school student from each of those regions

The educator/counselor and parent members would be chosen through an annual application process set by the Secretary of Education.

How it would operate

• Members would serve 2-year terms.
• Members would serve without pay.
• The task force would meet twice a year.
• It would not be allowed to hire additional staff.
• It would not have subpoena power.
• It could bring in outside experts temporarily and, if money is provided in advance, contract for services related to its work.

Reporting requirements

The task force would have to produce an annual report for the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The report would summarize the results of its study.

Relevant Companies

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