H.R. 5553: CTE Student Mental Health and Wellness Act

This bill, known as the CTE Student Mental Health and Wellness Act, aims to enhance mental health and substance use disorder services available to students in various educational institutions, specifically focusing on area career and technical education (CTE) schools. The main provisions of the bill include the following:

Eligibility for Grants

The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to allow area career and technical education schools to become eligible for mental health and substance use disorder service grants. Previously, these grants were generally limited to traditional institutions of higher education.

Definitions and Changes

The legislation establishes a new definition for "covered institutions," which includes:

• Area career and technical education schools as per the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.
• Institutions of higher education as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965.

By making these changes, the bill seeks to ensure that students in these technical education settings have access to vital mental health resources, aiming to improve the overall wellness of students who may be facing challenges in these areas.

Impact on Students

With the passage of this legislation, it is anticipated that students attending area career and technical education schools will have better access to mental health and substance use disorder resources. This could potentially lead to improved student outcomes, both academically and personally, by addressing mental health issues more effectively within these educational environments.

Support and Implementation

If passed, the bill would direct relevant federal agencies to implement these changes, ensuring that the necessary funding and resources are available to support mental health initiatives within covered institutions.

Reporting Requirements

The bill may also include provisions for accountability and reporting to ensure that the grants are being utilized effectively to support student mental health and wellness.

Potential Benefits

Ultimately, the legislation aims to expand mental health support for a wider range of educational institutions, thereby recognizing the importance of mental health services in various educational settings beyond traditional colleges and universities.

Relevant Companies

None found