Sponsors (3)
The bill aims to improve early identification and coordination of mental health support across federal systems, at the trade-off of added costs, potential gaps in follow-up capacity, and increased privacy risks unless protections and resources are ensured.
People at risk of mental health crises (including veterans, students, and people with disabilities) could be identified earlier through improved interdepartmental screening and referral processes, increasing timely access to support and crisis prevention.
Veterans, military personnel, students, and other service users could experience more continuous, consistent care because federal departments (VA, DOD, Education) would standardize and share best practices across schools, military, and VA systems.
Taxpayers and the public could benefit from clearer congressional oversight and evidence-based decisions because policymakers will receive concrete recommendations and a report on a set timeline to guide funding or program adoption.
People whose records are shared across agencies (veterans, students, people with disabilities) may face increased privacy risks if data protection and consent protocols are not robustly specified and enforced.
People identified by new screening efforts could be left without adequate follow-up or services if departments lack referral capacity, meaning needs are flagged but not met, potentially worsening outcomes.
Federal departments and taxpayers could incur new costs if recommended screening programs, referral systems, or interagency initiatives are implemented without offsetting savings or additional appropriations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires HHS to assess feasibility of improving interdepartmental identification, information sharing, and distribution of validated screening tools for mental health crises and report recommendations to Congress.
Introduced January 6, 2026 by Sheri Biggs · Last progress January 6, 2026
Requires the HHS Secretary to assess, within 180 days, whether and how Executive departments that deliver direct services can better identify people experiencing or expressing concern about a mental health crisis, share information and best practices, and distribute validated screening tools and symptom indicators. The Secretary must coordinate with relevant department heads (including VA, DOD, and Education), may consult experts, and must report findings and recommendations to Congress; Executive departments are asked to implement recommendations to the extent practicable.