H.R. 4723

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a behavioral and mental health outreach and education strategy to reduce stigma associated with mental health among the Hispanic and Latino population, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · July 23, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Salinas · Committee: Committee on Energy and Commerce

Table of contents

• H.R. 4723
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Hispanic and Latino behavioral and mental health outreach and education strategy

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Hispanic and Latino behavioral and mental health outreach and education strategy

• Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act () is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 42 U.S.C. 290dd et seq.
  • (a) In general
    • The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, shall, in coordination with advocacy and behavioral and mental health organizations serving populations of Hispanic and Latino individuals or communities, develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse among the Hispanic and Latino populations. Such strategy shall—
      • be designed to—
        • meet the diverse cultural and language needs of the various Hispanic and Latino populations; and
        • be developmentally and age appropriate;
      • increase awareness of symptoms of mental illnesses common among such populations, taking into account differences within subgroups, such as gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, of such populations;
      • provide information on evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate and adapted interventions and treatments;
      • ensure full participation of, and engage, both consumers and community members in the development and implementation of materials; and
      • seek to broaden the perspective among both individuals in these communities and stakeholders serving these communities to use a comprehensive public health approach to promoting behavioral health that addresses a holistic view of health by focusing on the intersection between behavioral and physical health.
  • (b) Reports
    • Beginning not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report on the extent to which the strategy developed and implemented under subsection (a) improved behavioral and mental health outcomes associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse among Hispanic and Latino populations.
  • (c) Authorization of appropriations
    • There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.