Sponsors (3)
The bill funds a time-limited federal pilot to expand evidence-based peer mental health supports in secondary schools—improving student access and generating useful evaluation data—but it adds administrative requirements, requires new federal spending, and may not produce lasting, nationwide changes without follow-up legislation.
Students in participating secondary schools gain access to evidence-based peer mental health supports and trainings overseen by school-based mental health professionals.
Schools and districts receive federal grant funds and technical assistance to implement peer support programs and adopt best practices.
The pilot requires evaluation and will produce evidence comparing peer support to other strategies, giving policymakers and districts data to improve student mental health programs.
The pilot is limited and temporary (sunsets 9/30/2029), so benefits may not be sustained or available more widely without further legislative action.
Schools and districts that accept grants must meet application, reporting, and FERPA requirements, increasing administrative burden on school staff and administrators.
Implementing and evaluating the pilot requires federal spending funded by appropriations, which could raise taxpayer costs or divert funds from other priorities.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced September 15, 2025 by Donald Sternoff Beyer · Last progress September 15, 2025
Creates a time-limited pilot grant program to fund evidence-based peer mental health support activities in secondary schools. Grants—awarded competitively to states, local governments, territories, and Tribal entities—may pay for peer support programs, training, and oversight by school-based mental health professionals, and the program requires evaluation, technical assistance, privacy protections, and a report to relevant congressional committees.