What does Preamble of Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'A bill to address behavioral health and well-being among education professionals and other school staff.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026.

What does DISSEMINATION OF BEST PRACTICES. of Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to identify and disseminate best practices. The identified best practices should focus on preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency among education professionals and other school staff. The practices should also address training education professionals and school staff in strategies to support their mental health.

What does EDUCATION AND AWARENESS INITIATIVE ENCOURAGING USE OF MENTAL of Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a national education and awareness initiative focused on mental health and substance use disorder services for education professionals and school staff. The initiative aims to encourage these professionals to seek support, identify suicide and mental health risks, and learn appropriate responses. A key goal is to address the stigma associated with seeking mental health and substance use disorder services. The Secretary is required to report to Congress on the initiative's activities and outcomes within two years of the Act's enactment. The report must include quantitative and qualitative metrics to evaluate the initiative's effectiveness. The section authorizes $10,000,000 in appropriations for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to support the initiative.

What does PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE EDUCATION of Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Public Health Service Act to establish programs promoting mental health among education professionals and other school staff. The Secretary is authorized to award grants or contracts to eligible entities, including State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and consortia thereof. Funds awarded can be used to implement or enhance programs focused on improving mental health and resiliency, such as increasing awareness of mental health risk factors, preventing suicide, and providing mental health care. Priority for grant awards will be given to entities in areas with a high percentage of schools receiving Title I funding. The Secretary may also establish training grants for institutions of higher education and other entities to incorporate evidence-based strategies into educator preparation programs. Grants awarded under this section will generally be for a period of three years. Recipients of grants or contracts are required to submit annual reports evaluating the activities supported by the funding. The bill authorizes appropriations of $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to carry out these programs.

What does REVIEW WITH RESPECT TO EDUCATION WORKFORCE MENTAL HEALTH AND of Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Secretary to conduct a review, within two years of the Act's enactment, focused on improving the mental health of education professionals and school staff, as well as the outcomes of programs authorized under this Act. The review must assess the prevalence and severity of mental health conditions among education professionals, factors contributing to these conditions, and barriers to accessing mental health care. The review will also examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of education professionals and evaluate existing programs and training initiatives promoting mental health and resiliency. The Secretary is tasked with submitting a report to Congress detailing the review's results and providing recommendations to address identified issues. Recommendations may include best practices for improving mental health, removing barriers to care, and promoting resiliency among education professionals.

What does GAO REPORT. of Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress. The report must be submitted within four years of the Act's enactment. The report will focus on Federal substance use disorder and mental health grant programs. The report's analysis will cover the prevalence and severity of mental health conditions and substance use disorders among education professionals and other school staff. The report must include an analysis of available evidence and data related to these conditions and programs. The report will assess whether there are duplicative goals and objectives among the grant programs.

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Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/30/2026 · Introduced: 4/30/2026

Author: Timothy Kaine (D-VA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to identify and share best practices for preventing suicide and improving mental health among education professionals and school staff.
The bill establishes a national education and awareness initiative, allocating $10 million annually for two years, to encourage education professionals to seek mental health support and reduce associated stigma.
The bill authorizes $35 million annually for three years to fund programs promoting mental health and resiliency among education professionals, prioritizing areas with high Title I school populations.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 4120(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

7 sections

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