Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act

Bill: 117-hr-5526
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Manning, Kathy E. [D-NC-6]
Introduced: 2021-10-08
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Latest action: action_date: 2021-10-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-10-08
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires local educational agencies (LEAs) participating in the school lunch or breakfast programs to include in their local school wellness policies (1) goals for mental health promotion and education, and (2) nutrition guidelines for reducing childhood eating disorders. Such LEAs must also include registered dietitians and school-based mental health services providers in the development, implementation, and periodic review of such policies.</p> <p>The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to provide information and technical assistance to school health professionals (including school-based mental health services providers) for use in establishing healthy school environments. Such technical assistance must promote mental health, encourage mental health assessments, and establish resilient school environments.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5526 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 8, 2021 Ms. Manning (for herself and Mrs. Hartzler ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To amend the Richard B. Russell School Lunch Act to increase access to mental health resources, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act . 2. Local school wellness policy resources Section 9A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758b ) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting after physical activity, the following: mental health promotion and education, ; (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: and eating disorders ; and (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting after school administrators, the following: registered dietitians, school-based mental health services providers, ; (2) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by inserting after in consultation with the following: the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, ; (ii) by inserting a comma after Secretary of Education ; and (iii) by inserting after school food authorities the following: , school health professionals (including school-based mental health services providers when available) ; (B) by striking paragraph (2)(C), and inserting the following new subparagraph: (C) includes such other technical assistance as is required to promote— (i) sound nutrition and establish healthy school nutrition environments; and (ii) mental health, encourage mental health assessments, and establish resilient school environments; and ; and (C) in paragraph (3)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the following: and the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ; (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 2014 and inserting 2026 ; and (iii) in subparagraph (D)— (I) by striking $3,000,000 and inserting $5,000,000 ; and (II) by striking 2011 and inserting 2023 .