I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8422 
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act to establish programs for the provision of mental health services 
to individuals affected by a major disaster, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 16, 2024 
Ms. BALINT (for herself and Mrs. GONZA´LEZ-COLO´N) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act to establish programs for the provi-
sion of mental health services to individuals affected 
by a major disaster, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Mental Health Emer-
gency Needs in Disasters Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. ASSISTANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 
AFTER MAJOR DISASTER. 
Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 431. MOBILE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The President, acting through 
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, is authorized to provide mental and behavioral 
health counseling services to victims of a major disaster 
in order to relieve mental health problems caused or ag-
gravated by such major disaster or the aftermath of such 
disaster. 
‘‘(b) TYPE OF ASSISTANCE.—The provision of behav-
ioral counseling services under this section shall be pro-
vided through mobile mental health crisis units and such 
units shall— 
‘‘(1) be deployed to counties located in the area 
affected by a major disaster for not more than 2 
years after the date on which the President declared 
such major disaster; 
‘‘(2) be staffed by individuals who— 
‘‘(A) are employees of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency; 
‘‘(B) are appropriately trained to— 
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‘‘(i) address the effects of major dis-
asters on communities and individuals with 
socioeconomically 
disadvantaged 
back-
grounds; and 
‘‘(ii) provide culturally appropriate 
care; 
‘‘(C) are professionally trained and appro-
priately licensed to provide evidence-based care, 
such as psychological first aid, crisis counseling, 
sudden death counseling, and counseling to in-
dividuals with post-traumatic stress disorder; 
and 
‘‘(D) to the extent practicable, have experi-
ence providing mental health services in the 
area affected by the major disaster; and 
‘‘(3) disperse information about resources, other 
preventive materials, and available peer supports. 
‘‘(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—In carrying out this 
section, the Administrator may consult with and receive 
technical assistance or training from the Director of the 
Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse 
and Mental Health Services Administration. 
‘‘(d) TIMING.—The Administrator shall ensure that 
mobile mental health crisis units described in subsection 
(b) are deployed immediately following a major disaster. 
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