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Bill

HR 6131

To increase the recruitment and retention of school-based mental health services providers by low-income local educational agencies.

119th Congress Introduced by Don Bacon and 28 co-sponsors

HR 6131 increases federal support for recruiting and retaining mental health professionals in low-income schools to improve student mental health access and outcomes.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 6131

Legislative bill overview

HR 6131 aims to improve recruitment and retention of mental health professionals in schools serving low-income communities by providing financial incentives, support programs, or other mechanisms to attract qualified providers. The bill recognizes that disadvantaged school districts face particular challenges in hiring and keeping school psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other mental health staff.

Why is this important

Mental health services in schools have become increasingly critical, particularly post-pandemic, as youth face rising rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges. Low-income districts struggle most to compete for qualified mental health professionals due to lower salaries and fewer resources, creating significant disparities in access to care. Addressing this workforce gap could improve early intervention, reduce crisis situations, and support student academic success.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal responsibility vs. need: Cost of incentive programs and whether federal funding or mandates are appropriate given budget constraints
  • Implementation details: Unclear whether bill provides direct funding, tax incentives, loan forgiveness, housing assistance, or other recruitment mechanisms—and whether proposed solution matches the problem's scale
  • Effectiveness concerns: Questions about whether compensation alone solves retention or if underlying workplace conditions, burnout, and caseload issues must also be addressed
  • Local control vs. federal involvement: Debate over federal role in directing local hiring decisions and whether one-size-fits-all approach works across diverse districts

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

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