YOUTH Act

To amend the Public Health Service Act to better address substance use and substance use disorders among young people. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Youth Opioid Use Treatment Help Act of 2016 YOUTH Act 2. Reauthorization of substance abuse treatment services for children and adolescents (a) In general Section 514 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 290bb–7 (1) by striking abuse use (2) by striking children and adolescents children, adolescents, and young adults (3) in subsection (f), by striking for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2022 (b) Technical correction Section 514 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 290bb–9 Public Law 106–310 3. Access to medication-assisted treatment for adolescents and young adults demonstration program (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (in this section referred to as the Director (1) expand access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders among adolescents and young adults; (2) identify and test solutions to overcoming barriers to implementation of medication-assisted treatment for adolescents and young adults; or (3) create and distribute for pediatric health care providers resources on medication-assisted treatment training and implementation. (b) Eligible entities To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall— (1) be a State, political subdivision of a State, Indian tribe, tribal organization, professional pediatric provider organization, professional addiction medicine provider, hospital, an institution of higher education, or other appropriate public or nonprofit institution; and (2) certify that it is in compliance with all applicable registration and licensing requirements. (c) Application To seek a grant under this section, an entity shall submit to the Director an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. (d) Duration An eligible entity may receive funds under this section to carry out a demonstration program described in this section for a period of not greater than 3 years. After the first year for which funding is provided to an eligible entity for a demonstration program, funding may be provided under this section for a subsequent year for such program only upon review of such program by the Director and approval by the Director of such subsequent year of funding. (e) Reports (1) By grant recipients Each eligible entity awarded a grant under this section for a demonstration program shall submit to the Director progress reports on such demonstration program at such times, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. (2) By Director Not later than one year after the date on which all demonstration programs funded under this section have been completed, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that— (A) describes the availability of medication-assisted treatment for adolescents and young adults with opioid use disorders in the United States, including barriers to such treatment; (B) describes the specific demonstration programs carried out pursuant to this section; (C) evaluates the effectiveness of such programs; (D) evaluates any unintended consequences of such programs; and (E) provides recommendations for ensuring that medication-assisted treatment is accessible to adolescents and young adults with opioid use disorders. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) The phrase adolescents and young adults (2) The term medication-assisted treatment (3) The term opioid use disorder (4) The term pediatric health care provider (5) The term professional pediatric provider organization (g) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this section. 4. GAO study and report on programs and research relative to substance use and substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults (a) Study The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on how Federal agencies are addressing prevention of, treatment for, and recovery from substance use by and substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults. Such study shall include an analysis of each of the following: (1) The research that has been, and is being, conducted or supported by the Federal Government on prevention of, treatment for, and recovery from substance use by and substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults, including an assessment of— (A) such research relative to any unique circumstances (including social and biological circumstances) of adolescents and young adults that may make adolescent-specific and young adult-specific treatment protocols necessary, including any effects that substance use and substance use disorders may have on brain development and the implications for treatment and recovery; and (B) areas of such research in which greater investment or focus is necessary relative to other areas of such research. (2) The Federal non-research programs and activities that address prevention of, treatment for, and recovery from substance use by and substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults, including an assessment of the effectiveness of such programs and activities in preventing substance use by and substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults, treating such adolescents and young adults in a way that accounts for any unique circumstances faced by adolescents and young adults, and supports long-term recovery among adolescents and young adults. (3) Gaps that have been identified by Federal officials and experts in Federal efforts relating to prevention of, treatment for, and recovery from substance use by and substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults, including gaps in research, data collection, and measures to evaluate the effectiveness of Federal efforts, and the reasons for such gaps. (b) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including— (1) a summary of the findings of the study; and (2) recommendations based on the results of the study, including recommendations for such areas of research and legislative and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.

Summary: Youth Opioid Use Treatment Help Act of 2016 or the YOUTH Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and reauthorize through FY2022 grants for substance abuse treatment services for children and adolescents. The grant program is expanded to cover young adults. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) must award grants for demonstration programs to: (1) expand access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders among adolescents and young adults, or (2) create and distribute for pediatric health care providers resources on medication-assisted treatment training and implementation. AHRQ must report on the demonstration programs and the availability of medication-assisted treatment for adolescents and young adults. The report must include recommendations for ensuring such treatment is accessible. The Government Accountability Office must study how federal agencies are addressing substance use and substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults.