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Bill

HR 10349

To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Public Safety Mental Health Fellowship Program, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Don Davis and 3 co-sponsors

Establish a Public Safety Mental Health Fellowship Program under HHS to train and place fellows addressing mental health needs of public safety personnel.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 10349

Summary of HR 10349 (Session 119)

Purpose and intent

  • HR 10349 aims to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a Public Safety Mental Health Fellowship Program. The overarching goal is to support mental health services and resources for public safety personnel (e.g., police, firefighters, and other first responders) by creating structured fellowship opportunities within the federal framework administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of Public Safety Mental Health Fellowship Program
    • Directed entity: Secretary of Health and Human Services.
    • Program purpose: Train and place fellows to address the mental health needs of public safety personnel, potentially including screening, treatment referrals, crisis intervention, and resilience supports.
  • Administration and oversight
    • The program would be created within the framework of the Public Health Service Act, with implementation guidance or regulations to be issued by the Secretary.
  • Scope of activities
    • Fellows would likely engage in activities such as academic–practice partnerships, field-based mental health services, policy analysis, program development, and evaluation related to public safety mental health needs.
  • Collaboration and partnerships
    • Potential involvement of federal, state, local governments, behavioral health providers, first responder organizations, and academic institutions to support recruitment, training, and deployment of fellows.
  • Reporting and evaluation
    • The bill may include requirements for program reporting on outcomes, effectiveness, and resource use, to inform ongoing improvements and future funding decisions.

Who would be affected

  • Target population: Public safety personnel who experience mental health challenges or stress related to service.
  • Beneficiaries: Public safety departments and agencies seeking enhanced mental health support for staff; mental health professionals who participate as fellows; and communities served by public safety personnel.
  • Federal role: HHS would administer the program, set qualifications, fellow duties, and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (as of 2026-09-10).
  • Legislative process: Would proceed through committee review, potential markup, and floor consideration, followed by Senate action and potential reconciliation. Timeline depends on congressional priorities and actions on similar public health or mental health initiatives.
  • Status indicators: Still in early stages of the legislative process (as of the provided record), with sponsor list including several co-sponsors (John Rutherford, Don Davis, Mike Lawler, Derek Tran).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Public health impact: Potential expansion of access to mental health services for first responders, improved early identification of mental health needs, and enhanced resilience and prevention strategies within public safety workforces.
  • Resource implications: Implementation would require federal funding for fellow stipends, program administration, training curricula, and evaluation efforts. The bill would need to specify funding levels, duration, and source.
  • Policy alignment: Aligns with broader federal efforts to address mental health crises, reduces stigma, and supports workforce readiness in critical public safety sectors.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize financial implications (e.g., any mentioned funding authority), anticipated timelines, or compare it to related public health/first responder mental health initiatives.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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