Honoring National Recovery Month Act
Bill: S.1332 | Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray (D-NM)
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Honoring National Recovery Month Act
This bill provides statutory authority for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop communication materials, distribute best practices, and carry out other activities in recognition of National Recovery Month. SAMHSA may undertake these activities or enter into an agreement with a national organization to do so.
National Recovery Month is an annual observance to celebrate individuals who are in recovery from a substance use disorder or mental illness, educate the public, and combat stigma.

To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Honoring National 
Recovery Month Act''.
    (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) National Recovery Month is an annual observance in the 
        United States to celebrate individuals who are in recovery from 
        a substance use disorder or mental illness, and to educate the 
        public and combat stigma with respect to substance use 
        disorders and mental illnesses.
            (2) 2021 is the 32nd observance of National Recovery Month.
            (3) Over 81,000 people died from drug overdoses during the 
        period beginning in July 2019 and ending in June 2020, and 
        47,000 people died from suicide in 2019 in the United States.
            (4) Fatal overdoses in the United States increased from 
        2018 to 2019, and overdoses have increased since the onset of 
        the COVID-19 pandemic.
            (5) A June 2020 study conducted by the Centers for Disease 
        Control and Prevention shows that 41 percent of adults are 
        experiencing an adverse mental health or behavioral health 
        condition, including 31 percent who are experiencing symptoms 
        of anxiety or depression, 11 percent who are seriously 
        considering suicide, and 13 percent who are starting or 
        increasing their substance use to cope with stress or emotions 
        related to COVID-19.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH ACTIVITIES.

    Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290dd 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 552A. NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant 
Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall carry out 
activities, or enter into an agreement with a national organization 
with experience coordinating activities in recognition of National 
Recovery Month to carry out activities--
            ``(1) to develop toolkits, public service announcements, 
        webinars, graphics, and other communication materials with 
        respect to National Recovery Month;
            ``(2) to develop, maintain, and update appropriate websites 
        with respect to National Recovery Month;
            ``(3) to develop and distribute best practices for 
        community engagement with respect to National Recovery Month; 
        and
            ``(4) to celebrate individuals in recovery from substance 
        use disorders or mental illness, educate the public on 
        treatment of and recovery from substance use disorders or 
        mental illness, combat stigma pertaining to substance use 
        disorders or mental illness, and engage stakeholders in their 
        participation in such activities.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2022 through 2026.''.
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