H.R. 5357: College Students Continuation of Mental Health Care Act of 2025

This bill, known as the College Students Continuation of Mental Health Care Act of 2025, aims to facilitate mental health services for students in institutions of higher education through telehealth technology. Here are the main components of the bill summarized in layman's terms:

Licensing Reciprocity for Mental Health Providers

The bill allows college mental health providers to offer mental health services to students located in different states from where they are licensed. This means that if a student attends a college in one state but is located in another state, the mental health provider from the college can still provide services through telehealth, unless specifically barred from doing so by the student's state.

Requirements for Providing Services

Before a college mental health provider can start offering services to a student, they must fulfill several requirements:

• Verify the student’s identity.
• Obtain acknowledgment from the student (or their representative) indicating their intent to receive services.
• Ensure there are multiple ways to contact the student for telehealth sessions in case of a technical issue.
• If the provider has not previously treated the student, they must ensure the student understands they are forming a treatment relationship.

Scope of Practice

While providing services through telehealth, college mental health providers must generally act within the limits of their professional licenses from their home state. However, they are not required to follow regulations from the state where the student is located, as long as they do not offer services that are prohibited in the student's state.

Medical Malpractice Insurance

Any medical malpractice insurance a college mental health provider has will cover services provided to students via telehealth as if those services were offered in the provider's home state.

Interstate Agreements

The bill also allows states to enter into agreements or compacts that would permit college mental health providers to furnish services to students across state lines using telehealth technology.

Definitions

• College Mental Health Provider: An individual employed by an institution of higher education to provide mental health services to its students, and who is licensed or certified in the state where the college is located.
• Covered Student: A student who is currently enrolled or has been enrolled in the institution within the last three months.
• Institution of Higher Education: As defined by federal law, generally referring to colleges or universities that offer degrees.
• Primary State: The state where the institution of higher education is located.
• State: Refers to U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
• Telehealth Technology: Technology used to deliver mental health services remotely, including video calls and phone consultations.

Relevant Companies

• AMZN: Amazon - As a provider of telehealth services through its Amazon Care platform, changes in telehealth regulations could impact its operations.
• FDX: FedEx - If the legislation encourages more telehealth services, logistical support for mental health providers that may rely on shipping supplies could be affected.
• SYKH: Sykes Enterprises - As a company involved in remote service delivery, changes in the mental health telehealth landscape could affect operational demand.