Mental Health First Aid Act of 2015
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to award grants to initiate and sustain mental health first aid training programs. Requires such a program to include training on: (1) the skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to assist individuals in crisis to connect with appropriate local mental health care services; (2) mental health resources, including the location of community mental health centers; and (3) protocols for referral to mental health resources.
Sets forth the categories of individuals to be trained under the program, including first responders, law enforcement personnel, teachers and school administrators, human resources professionals, faith community leaders, nurses and other primary care personnel, students enrolled in school, parents of students, and veterans.
Requires such programs to train individuals to accomplish safe de-escalation of crisis situations, recognition of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and timely referral to mental health services in the early stages of developing mental disorders.
Requires SAMHSA to ensure that grants are equitably distributed geographically, and to pay particular attention to the mental health training needs of rural areas.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-09-27 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. | Senate |
| 2016-09-26 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2016-09-26 | Floor | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5870) | House floor actions |
| 2016-09-26 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1877. | House floor actions |
| 2016-09-26 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5870-5871) | House floor actions |
| 2016-09-26 | Floor | Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. | House floor actions |
| 2016-09-26 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 614. | House floor actions |
| 2016-09-26 | Committee | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-786. | House floor actions |
| 2016-09-21 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. | House committee actions |
| 2016-09-21 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2016-09-20 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2016-09-13 | Committee | Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote . | House committee actions |
| 2016-09-12 | Committee | Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2015-04-17 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. | House committee actions |
| 2015-04-16 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. | House floor actions |
| 2015-04-16 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |