I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5353 
To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a 
pilot program to support evidence-based mental health peer support ac-
tivities for students. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 
Mr. BEYER (for himself and Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 
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 
committee concerned 
A BILL 
To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
to carry out a pilot program to support evidence-based 
mental health peer support activities for students. 
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 ‘‘Peer to Peer Mental 
Health Support Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. PEER-TO-PEER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary for Men-
tal Health and Substance Use (referred to in this section 
as the ‘‘Assistant Secretary’’), in consultation with the 
Secretary of Education, may, as appropriate and within 
a relevant existing program, carry out a pilot program and 
make awards, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities 
to support evidence-based mental health peer support ac-
tivities for students enrolled in secondary schools (as such 
term is defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)). 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive an award 
under this section, an entity shall— 
(1) be a State, political subdivision of a State, 
territory, or Indian Tribe or Tribal organization (as 
such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304)); and 
(2) submit to the Assistant Secretary an appli-
cation at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Assistant Secretary may re-
quire, including a description of how the entity will 
measure and evaluate progress of the program in 
improving student mental health outcomes. 
(c) USE OF AMOUNTS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), an 
eligible entity may use amounts provided under this 
section to implement or operate evidence-based men-
tal health peer support activities in 1 or more sec-
ondary schools (as such term is defined in section 
8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) within the jurisdic-
tion of such eligible entity, which may include pro-
viding training, as appropriate, to students, adult 
supervisors, and other appropriate individuals to im-
prove the early identification of, response to, and re-
covery supports for mental health and substance use 
challenges, reduce associated risks, and promote re-
siliency. 
(2) PROGRAM OVERSIGHT.—An eligible entity 
shall ensure that mental health peer support activi-
ties under paragraph (1) are overseen by a school- 
based mental health professional. 
(3) FERPA.—Any education records of the 
student collected or maintained under this section 
shall have the protections provided in section 444 of 
the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 
1232g). 
(d) EVALUATION; REPORT.— 
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(1) EVALUATION.—The Assistant Secretary 
shall carry out an evaluation to measure the efficacy 
of the program under this section. The evaluation 
shall— 
(A) measure participation rates in mental 
health peer support activities, including any as-
sociated trends; 
(B) describe the specific trainings pro-
vided, or other activities carried out under the 
pilot program; 
(C) assess whether such mental health peer 
support activities impacted mental health out-
comes of participating students; and 
(D) measure the effectiveness of the pilot 
program in connecting students to professional 
mental health services compared to other evi-
dence-based strategies. 
(2) REPORT.—The Assistant Secretary shall 
prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and 
the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Edu-
cation and Workforce of the House of Representa-
tives a report containing the results of the evalua-
tion conducted under paragraph (1). 
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(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Assistant Sec-
retary, in coordination with the Secretary of Education, 
shall provide technical assistance to eligible entities apply-
ing for and receiving an award under this section, includ-
ing the identification and dissemination of best practices 
for mental health peer support programs for students. 
(f) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Section 4001 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7101) shall apply to an entity receiving a grant, 
contract, or cooperative agreement under this section in 
the same manner as such section applies to an entity re-
ceiving funding under title IV of such Act, except that sec-
tion 4001(a)(2)(B)(i) of such Act shall not apply. 
(g) SUNSET.—This section shall terminate on Sep-
tember 30, 2029. 
Æ 
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