I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 588 
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants 
to States, political subdivisions of States, Indian Tribes and Tribal orga-
nizations, community-based entities, and primary care and behavioral 
health organizations to address behavioral health needs caused by the 
public health emergency declared with respect to COVID–19. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 28, 2021 
Ms. PORTER (for herself, Mr. VAN DREW, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, Mr. FITZPATRICK, 
Mr. TRONE, Ms. UNDERWOOD, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. RYAN, Mr. PA-
NETTA, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. MOORE of Wis-
consin, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. BASS, Ms. SEWELL, Mr. MOULTON, Mr. 
RASKIN, Ms. HOULAHAN, Ms. SCANLON, Mr. LYNCH, Mr. GARCI´A of Illi-
nois, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. MCKINLEY, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mrs. KIM of Cali-
fornia, Mr. CA´RDENAS, and Mr. CROW) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to 
award grants to States, political subdivisions of States, 
Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, community-based 
entities, and primary care and behavioral health organi-
zations to address behavioral health needs caused by 
the public health emergency declared with respect to 
COVID–19. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Stopping the Mental 
Health Pandemic Act’’. 
SEC. 2. GRANTS TO SUPPORT INCREASED BEHAVIORAL 
HEALTH NEEDS DUE TO COVID–19. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use, 
shall award grants to States, political subdivisions of 
States, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, commu-
nity-based entities, and primary care and behavioral 
health organizations to address behavioral health needs 
caused by the public health emergency declared pursuant 
to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
247d) with respect to COVID–19. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—An entity that receives a grant 
under subsection (a) may use funds received through such 
grant to— 
(1) increase behavioral health treatment and 
prevention capacity, including to— 
(A) promote coordination among local enti-
ties; 
(B) train the behavioral health workforce, 
relevant stakeholders, and community members; 
(C) upgrade technology to support effective 
delivery of health care services through tele-
health modalities; 
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(D) purchase medical supplies and equip-
ment for behavioral health treatment entities 
and providers; 
(E) address surge capacity for behavioral 
health needs such as through mobile units; and 
(F) promote collaboration between primary 
care and mental health providers; and 
(2) support or enhance behavioral health serv-
ices, including— 
(A) emergency crisis intervention, includ-
ing mobile crisis units, 24/7 crisis call centers, 
and medically staffed crisis stabilization pro-
grams; 
(B) screening, assessment, diagnosis, and 
treatment; 
(C) mental health awareness trainings; 
(D) evidence-based suicide prevention; 
(E) evidence-based integrated care models; 
(F) community recovery and peer supports; 
(G) outreach to underserved and minority 
communities; and 
(H) for front line health care workers. 
(c) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall give priority to 
applicants proposing to serve areas with a high number 
of COVID–19 cases. 
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