CARE for Mental Health Professionals Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (27 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
What this bill does
The CARE for Mental Health Professionals Act, introduced in the Senate, would create a grant program called the Mental Health Licensure Portability Program. This program would aim to encourage counselors to practice in states that have joined agreements, known as interstate compacts, to increase the number of mental health professionals. It would also support the creation and operation of commissions that manage these interstate compacts.
The bill specifically defines "counselor" as a licensed professional providing guidance on personal, social, or psychological issues. Eligible entities to receive grants would include interstate compact commissions or state licensure boards involved in occupational licensure compacts for professions like counseling, psychiatry, psychology, social work, or pediatric mental health. These interstate compacts would be agreements between states for mutual recognition of professional qualifications, allowing licensed professionals in one state to practice in another.
This bill was introduced in the Senate and has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The grant program would be established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The act authorizes appropriations of $4 million for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2030 to carry out these provisions.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
27 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Common questions
- What does S. 5137 do?
- The CARE for Mental Health Professionals Act, introduced in the Senate, would create a grant program called the Mental Health Licensure Portability Program. This program would aim to encourage counselors to practice in states that have joined agreements, known as interstate compacts, to increase the number of mental health professionals. It would also support the creation and operation of commissions that manage these interstate compacts. The bill specifically defines "counselor" as a licensed professional providing guidance on personal, social, or psychological issues. Eligible entities to receive grants would include interstate compact commissions or state licensure boards involved in occupational licensure compacts for professions like counseling, psychiatry, psychology, social work, or pediatric mental health. These interstate compacts would be agreements between states for mutual recognition of professional qualifications, allowing licensed professionals in one state to practice in another. This bill was introduced in the Senate and has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The grant program would be established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The act authorizes appropriations of $4 million for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2030 to carry out these provisions.
- Has S. 5137 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5137. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5137?
- S. 5137 was sponsored by Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME] (I-ME), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5137?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (27 Jul 2026).
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