Student Mental Health Helpline Act of 2021
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (13 Sep 2021): Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
What this bill does
The Student Mental Health Helpline Act of 2021 would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities. These grants would support the establishment or maintenance of student mental health and safety helplines. These helplines would be free, confidential, and accessible through multiple communication platforms, providing assistance to students facing issues like abuse, bullying, and depression.
Grants could be awarded to state, local government, Indian tribe, or tribal organization subdivisions primarily responsible for health, public health, or education. Recipients would use funds to operate helplines that can provide information to school officials about student mental health and safety concerns, while adhering to federal privacy standards. The bill also directs the department to study and report on the feasibility of a national student mental health and safety helpline.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in September 2021 and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. There have been no further actions on the bill since its introduction.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Student Mental Health Helpline Act of 2021
This bill authorizes grants to support student mental health and safety helplines (i.e., a free, confidential service that is accessible via telephone and other communication platforms that assists students facing challenges with abuse, bullying, depression, self-harm, and related issues). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) may award the grants to agencies or other subdivisions of a state, Indian tribe, or local government that are primarily responsible for health, public health, or education.
Among other purposes, recipients must use funds to establish or maintain a helpline that provides information to school officials (to the extent permitted by federal privacy standards for health information) about student mental health and safety concerns.
The bill also requires SAMHSA to report on the feasibility of setting up a nationally available student mental health and safety helpline.
Timeline
13 Sep 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5235 do?
- The Student Mental Health Helpline Act of 2021 would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities. These grants would support the establishment or maintenance of student mental health and safety helplines. These helplines would be free, confidential, and accessible through multiple communication platforms, providing assistance to students facing issues like abuse, bullying, and depression. Grants could be awarded to state, local government, Indian tribe, or tribal organization subdivisions primarily responsible for health, public health, or education. Recipients would use funds to operate helplines that can provide information to school officials about student mental health and safety concerns, while adhering to federal privacy standards. The bill also directs the department to study and report on the feasibility of a national student mental health and safety helpline. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in September 2021 and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. There have been no further actions on the bill since its introduction.
- Has H.R. 5235 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 5235. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5235?
- H.R. 5235 was sponsored by Rep. Newman, Marie [D-IL-3] (D-IL), with 8 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5235?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. (13 Sep 2021).
Related bills in Health
Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2026
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
Access to Medical Supplies Act
Lower Premiums, Faster Payments Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.