H.R. 1615 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1615 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 18, 2013 Mr. McKinley (for himself and Ms. Kaptur) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To provide for a study by the Institute of Medicine on gaps in mental health services and how these gaps can increase the risk of violent acts. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Examining America’s Mental Health Services Act of 2013. 2. Study on gaps in mental health services (a) Study The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine (or, if the Institute declines to enter into such an arrangement, another appropriate entity) to conduct a comprehensive study on— (1) gaps in mental health services, including treatment services, whether publicly or privately funded; and (2) how these gaps can increase the risk of violent acts. (b) Considerations The study under subsection (a) shall include consideration of— (1) gaps in mental health treatment services for adults and children with severe and persistent mental illness; (2) barriers to receiving mental health services that result in high rates of untreated mental illness; and (3) the availability of interventions such as assisted outpatient treatment designed to reach individuals with untreated severe mental illness. (c) Report The Secretary shall ensure that, not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act— (1) the study under subsection (a) is completed; and (2) a report on the findings and conclusions of such study is submitted to the Congress.