I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4783 
To protect individuals by strengthening the Nation’s mental health infrastruc-
ture, improving the understanding of violence, strengthening firearm 
prohibitions and protections for at-risk individuals, and improving and 
expanding the reporting of mental health records to the National Instant 
Criminal Background Check System. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 30, 2014 
Mr. THOMPSON of California (for himself, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. PERLMUTTER, 
Ms. SPEIER, Ms. ESTY, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. FATTAH, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. 
SCOTT of Virginia, Mrs. CAPPS, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New 
York, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. RICHMOND, Mr. CICILLINE, 
Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. CROWLEY, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, 
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mrs. 
LOWEY, Mr. YARMUTH, and Ms. CLARKE of New York) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and 
in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to 
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To protect individuals by strengthening the Nation’s mental 
health infrastructure, improving the understanding of vi-
olence, strengthening firearm prohibitions and protec-
tions for at-risk individuals, and improving and expand-
ing the reporting of mental health records to the Na-
tional Instant Criminal Background Check System. 
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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 ‘‘Promoting Healthy 
Minds for Safer Communities Act of 2014’’. 
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents of this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title. 
Sec. 2. Table of contents. 
TITLE I—STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVING INTERVENTION 
EFFORTS 
Sec. 101. Mental health crisis assessment, prevention, and education grant pro-
gram. 
Sec. 102. School-based mental health programs. 
Sec. 103. Justice and mental health collaboration. 
TITLE II—IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 
Sec. 201. Research with respect to violence. 
TITLE III—UNDERSTANDING THE EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE 
Sec. 301. National violent death reporting system. 
Sec. 302. Reaffirming Centers for Disease Control’s authority. 
Sec. 303. Protecting confidential doctor-patient relationship. 
TITLE IV—MENTAL HEALTH AND ACCESS TO FIREARMS 
Sec. 401. Ban on firearm possession by person committed involuntarily to men-
tal institution on an outpatient basis. 
Sec. 402. Ban on firearm possession by person convicted of misdemeanor stalk-
ing; expansion of scope of misdemeanor crime of domestic vio-
lence. 
Sec. 403. Expansion of definition of intimate partner. 
Sec. 404. Grant program regarding firearms. 
Sec. 405. Notification of State and local law enforcement authorities of attempt 
to purchase firearm by ineligible person. 
TITLE V—RESTORATION 
Sec. 501. Federal agency relief program. 
Sec. 502. State relief programs. 
Sec. 503. General Federal relief. 
TITLE VI—SUBMISSION OF MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS TO 
NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM 
Sec. 601. Reports relating to submission of information to NICS. 
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Sec. 602. Reauthorization of the National Criminal History Records Improve-
ment Program. 
Sec. 603. Improvement of metrics and incentives. 
Sec. 604. Grants to States to improve coordination and automation of NICS 
record reporting. 
Sec. 605. Sharing of records by Federal departments and agencies with NICS. 
Sec. 606. Rulemaking to permit submission of mental health records to the Na-
tional Instant Criminal Background Check System pursuant to 
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. 
TITLE I—STRENGTHENING AND 
IMPROVING 
INTERVENTION 
EFFORTS 
SEC. 101. MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ASSESSMENT, PREVEN-
TION, AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the 
following definitions shall apply: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means a State, political subdivision of a State, 
or nonprofit private entity. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each 
State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
each commonwealth, territory or possession of the 
United States, and each federally recognized Indian 
tribe. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish a program to award grants to eligible entities 
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to carry out the activities described in paragraph 
(2). 
(2) USE OF FUNDS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Grants under this sec-
tion may be used to carry out programs that— 
(i) expand early invention and treat-
ment services to improve access to mental 
health crisis assistance and address unmet 
mental health care needs; 
(ii) expand the continuum of services 
to address crisis intervention and crisis 
stabilization; 
(iii) reduce recidivism due to mental 
health crises and mitigate unnecessary ex-
penditures by local law enforcement; and 
(iv) reduce unnecessary hospitaliza-
tions by appropriately utilizing community- 
based services and improving access to 
timely mental health crisis assistance. 
(B) AUTHORIZED
ACTIVITIES.—The pro-
grams described in subparagraph (A) may in-
clude any or all of the following activities: 
(i) Mental health crisis intervention 
and response training for law enforcement 
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(to increase officers’ understanding and 
recognition of mental illnesses). 
(ii) Mobile support that provides field- 
based behavioral health assistance to law 
enforcement and members of the commu-
nity and links individuals in crisis to ap-
propriate services. 
(iii) 
School 
and 
community-based 
early intervention and prevention programs 
that provide mobile response, screening 
and assessment, training and education, 
and peer-based and family services. 
(3) APPLICATION.—To be considered for a 
grant under this section, an eligible entity shall sub-
mit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as 
the Secretary may require. At minimum, such appli-
cation shall include a description of— 
(A) the activities to be funded with the 
grant; 
(B) community needs; 
(C) the population to be served; and 
(D) the interaction between the activities 
described in subparagraph (A) and public sys-
tems of health and mental health care, law en-
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forcement, social services, and related assist-
ance programs. 
(4) SELECTING AMONG APPLICANTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Grants shall be award-
ed to eligible entities on a competitive basis. 
(B) SELECTION CRITERIA.—The Secretary 
shall evaluate applicants based on such criteria 
as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, 
including the ability of an applicant to carry 
out the activities described in paragraph (2). 
(5) REPORTS.— 
(A) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
(i) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—As a condi-
tion of receiving a grant under this section, 
an eligible entity shall agree to submit a 
report to the Secretary, on an annual 
basis, describing the activities carried out 
with the grant and assessing the effective-
ness of such activities. 
(ii) 
SECRETARY.—The 
Secretary 
shall, on an annual basis, and using the re-
ports received under clause (i), report to 
Congress on the overall impact and effec-
tiveness of the grant program under this 
section. 
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(B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than Janu-
ary 15, 2019, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a final report that includes rec-
ommendations with respect to the feasibility 
and advisability of extending or expanding the 
grant program. 
(6) COLLECTION OF DATA.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall col-
lect data on the grant program to determine its 
effectiveness in reducing the social impact of 
mental health crises and the feasibility and ad-
visability of extending the grant program. 
(B) MANNER OF COLLECTION.—Data de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) shall be collected 
and analyzed using a scientific peer-reviewed 
system and valid and reliable results-based re-
search methodologies. 
(c) FUNDING.— 
(1) GRANT AMOUNT.—A grant under this sec-
tion shall be in an amount that is not more than 
$100,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 
2019. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Sec-
retary shall determine the amount of each grant. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
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this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2015 through 2019. 
SEC. 102. SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. 
(a) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—The second part G 
(relating to services provided through religious organiza-
tions) of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 290kk et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating such part as part J; and 
(2) by redesignating sections 581 through 584 
as sections 596 through 596C, respectively. 
(b) SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND CHIL-
DREN AND VIOLENCE.—Section 581 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290hh) is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘SEC. 581. SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND CHIL-
DREN AND VIOLENCE. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in collaboration 
with the Secretary of Education and in consultation with 
the Attorney General, shall, directly or through grants, 
contracts, or cooperative agreements awarded to public en-
tities and local education agencies, assist local commu-
nities and schools in applying a public health approach 
to mental health services both in schools and in the com-
munity. Such approach should provide comprehensive age- 
appropriate services and supports, be linguistically and 
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culturally appropriate, be trauma-informed, and incor-
porate age-appropriate strategies of positive behavioral 
interventions and supports. A comprehensive school men-
tal health program funded under this section shall assist 
children in dealing with trauma and violence. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—Under the program under sub-
section (a), the Secretary may— 
‘‘(1) provide financial support to enable local 
communities to implement a comprehensive cul-
turally and linguistically appropriate, trauma-in-
formed, and age-appropriate, school mental health 
program that incorporates positive behavioral inter-
ventions, client treatment, and supports to foster the 
health and development of children; 
‘‘(2) provide technical assistance to local com-
munities with respect to the development of pro-
grams described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(3) provide assistance to local communities in 
the development of policies to address child and ado-
lescent trauma and mental health issues and violence 
when and if it occurs; 
‘‘(4) facilitate community partnerships among 
families, students, law enforcement agencies, edu-
cation systems, mental health and substance use dis-
order service systems, family-based mental health 
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service systems, welfare agencies, health care service 
systems (including physicians), faith-based pro-
grams, trauma networks, and other community- 
based systems; and 
‘‘(5) establish mechanisms for children and ado-
lescents to report incidents of violence or plans by 
other children, adolescents, or adults to commit vio-
lence. 
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible for a grant, 
contract, or cooperative agreement under subsection 
(a), an entity shall— 
‘‘(A) be a partnership between a local edu-
cation agency and at least one community pro-
gram or agency that is involved in mental 
health; and 
‘‘(B) submit an application, that is en-
dorsed by all members of the partnership, that 
contains the assurances described in paragraph 
(2). 
‘‘(2) REQUIRED ASSURANCES.—An application 
under paragraph (1) shall contain assurances as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(A) That the applicant will ensure that, 
in carrying out activities under this section, the 
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local educational agency involved will enter into 
a memorandum of understanding— 
‘‘(i) with at least one public or private 
mental health entity, health care entity, 
law enforcement or juvenile justice entity, 
child welfare agency, family-based mental 
health entity, family or family organiza-
tion, trauma network, or other community- 
based entity; and 
‘‘(ii) that clearly states— 
‘‘(I) how school-employed mental 
health professionals (such as school 
psychologists, school counselors, and 
school social workers) will be utilized 
in the comprehensive school mental 
health program; 
‘‘(II) the responsibilities of each 
partner with respect to the activities 
to be carried out; 
‘‘(III) how each such partner will 
be accountable for carrying out such 
responsibilities; and 
‘‘(IV) the amount of non-Federal 
funding or in-kind contributions that 
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each such partner will contribute in 
order to sustain the program. 
‘‘(B) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section supports the flexible use of funds to ad-
dress— 
‘‘(i) the promotion of the social, emo-
tional, mental, and behavioral health and 
wellness of all students in an environment 
that is conducive to learning; 
‘‘(ii) the reduction in the likelihood of 
at risk students developing social, emo-
tional, mental, and behavioral health prob-
lems, or substance use disorders; 
‘‘(iii) the early identification of social, 
emotional, mental, and behavioral prob-
lems, or substance use disorders and the 
provision of early intervention services; 
‘‘(iv) the treatment or referral for 
treatment of students with existing social, 
emotional, mental, and behavioral health 
problems, or substance use disorders; and 
‘‘(v) the development and implementa-
tion of programs to assist children in deal-
ing with trauma and violence. 
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‘‘(C) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will provide for in-service training of all 
school personnel, including ancillary staff and 
volunteers, in— 
‘‘(i) the techniques and supports need-
ed to identify early children with trauma 
histories and children with, or at risk of, 
mental illness; 
‘‘(ii) the use of referral mechanisms 
that effectively link such children to appro-
priate treatment and intervention services 
in the school and in the community and to 
follow-up when services are not available; 
‘‘(iii) strategies that promote the so-
cial, emotional, mental, and behavioral 
health and wellness of all students; 
‘‘(iv) strategies for promoting the so-
cial, emotional, mental, and behavioral 
health of all students; and 
‘‘(v) strategies to increase the knowl-
edge and skills of school and community 
leaders about the impact of trauma and vi-
olence and on the application of a public 
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health approach to comprehensive school- 
based mental health programs. 
‘‘(D) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will include comprehensive training for 
parents, siblings, and other family members of 
children with mental health disorders, and for 
concerned members of the community in— 
‘‘(i) the techniques and supports need-
ed to identify early children with trauma 
histories, and children with, or at risk of, 
mental illness; 
‘‘(ii) the use of referral mechanisms 
that effectively link such children to appro-
priate treatment and intervention services 
in the school and in the community and 
follow-up when such services are not avail-
able; and 
‘‘(iii) strategies that promote a school- 
wide positive environment. 
‘‘(E) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will demonstrate the measures to be 
taken to sustain the program after funding 
under this section terminates. 
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‘‘(F) That the local education agency part-
nership involved is supported by the State edu-
cational and mental health system to ensure 
that the sustainability of the programs is estab-
lished after funding under this section termi-
nates. 
‘‘(G) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will be based on trauma-informed and 
evidence-based practices. 
‘‘(H) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will be coordinated with early inter-
vening activities carried out under the Individ-
uals with Disabilities Education Act. 
‘‘(I) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will be trauma-informed and culturally 
and linguistically appropriate. 
‘‘(J) That the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will include a broad needs assessment of 
youth who drop out of school due to policies of 
‘zero tolerance’ with respect to drugs, alcohol, 
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or weapons and an inability to obtain appro-
priate services. 
‘‘(K) That the mental health services pro-
vided through the comprehensive school-based 
mental health program carried out under this 
section will be provided by qualified mental and 
behavioral health professionals who are certified 
or licensed by the State involved and practicing 
within their area of expertise. 
‘‘(3) COORDINATOR.—Any entity that is a 
member of a partnership described in paragraph 
(1)(A) may serve as the coordinator of funding and 
activities under the grant if all members of the part-
nership agree. 
‘‘(4) COMPLIANCE
WITH
HIPAA.—A grantee 
under this section shall be deemed to be a covered 
entity for purposes of compliance with the regula-
tions promulgated under section 264(c) of the 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
of 1996 with respect to any patient records devel-
oped through activities under the grant. 
‘‘(d) GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary 
shall ensure that grants, contracts, or cooperative agree-
ments under subsection (a) will be distributed equitably 
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