,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ggbc ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #bb1 #bjbj,mr4 ,kennedy 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,matsui1 ,mr4 ,tonko1 ,mr4 ,crdenas1 and ,mr4 ,trone7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce ,a ,,bill ,to establish the position of ,interagency ,coordinator for ,behavioral ,health to coordinate the programs and activities of the ,federal ,government relating to mental health1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,behavioral ,health ,coordination and ,communication ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,interagency ,coordinator for ,behavioral ,health 7a7 ,position 7#a7 ,appointment ,there is within the ,executive ,office of the ,president an ,interagency ,coordinator for ,behavioral ,health 7in this ,act referred to as the ,interagency ,coordinator7 who shall-- 7,a7 be appointed by the ,president1 by and with the advice and consent of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 report directly to the ,president4 7#b7 ,qualifications ,the ,interagency ,coordinator shall-- 7,a7 have expertise in mental health and substance use disorders2 and 7,b7 have administrative experience4 7#c7 ,term ,the ,interagency ,coordinator shall be appointed for a term of #e years4 ,the same individual may be reappointed to serve as the ,interagency ,coordinator for subsequent #e-years terms4 7#d7 ,rate of pay ,to the extent or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation ,acts1 the ,interagency ,coordinator shall be paid at a rate equal to the rate of basic pay for level #a of the ,executive ,schedule4 7b7 ,principal responsibility 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,interagency ,coordinator shall coordinate the programs and activities of the ,federal ,government relating to mental health and substance use disorders4 7#b7 ,consultation 7,a7 ,required consultation ,in carrying out paragraph 7#a7 with respect to any program or activity1 the ,interagency ,coordinator shall consult with-- 7i7 the ,assistant ,secretary of ,defense for ,health ,affairs2 7ii7 the ,attorney ,general of the ,united ,states1 the ,administrator of the ,office of ,juvenile ,justice and ,delinquency ,prevention1 and the ,director of the ,bureau of ,prisons2 7iii7 the ,director of ,national ,drug ,control ,policy2 7iv7 the ,secretary of ,education1 including the ,assistant ,secretary for ,special ,education and ,rehabilitative ,services2 7v7 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,assistant ,secretary for ,health1 the ,assistant ,secretary for the ,administration for ,children and ,families1 the ,assistant ,secretary for ,mental ,health and ,substance ,use1 and the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service2 7vi7 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security2 7vii7 the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development2 7viii7 the ,secretary of ,labor2 7ix7 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs2 and 7x7 the ,deputy ,assistant ,secretary for ,minority ,health4 7,b7 ,additional consultation ,in carrying out paragraph 7#a7 with respect to any program or activity1 the ,interagency ,coordinator may consult with the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 the ,commissioner of ,food and ,drugs1 the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 the ,administrator of the ,centers for ,medicare ,medicaid ,services1 and such additional ,federal officials as the ,interagency ,coordinator determines appropriate4 7c7 ,other responsibilities 7#a7 ,framework for mental health and substance use disorders ,the ,interagency ,coordinator shall work with ,federal departments and agencies to create a framework within and across such departments and agencies for mental health and substance use disorders4 ,such framework shall include the following3 7,a7 ,care coordination to better integrate mental health and substance use disorder care into health care settings and ensure seamless transitions for patients1 including by-- 7i7 promoting mental health and substance use disorder care earlier in the health care continuum2 7ii7 focusing on providing mental health and substance use disorder care in more appropriate settings and locations2 7iii7 promoting diversion to mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs instead of incarceration for mental health conditions and substance use disorders2 7iv7 improving access to primary care and other medical services in community mental health and substance use disorder settings2 7v7 promoting better treatment and services for mental health conditions and substance use disorders while incarcerated2 and 7vi7 providing better coordination for wraparound services at every point in health care and the justice system for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders1 including social supports1 housing1 education1 and employment4 7,b7 ,a focus on adults1 children1 youth1 and adolescents4 7,c7 ,creating and implementing a transition plan for patients with mental health conditions or substance use disorders who change systems1 departments1 agencies1 or services4 7#b7 ,inventory ,the ,interagency ,coordinator shall-- 7,a7 take an inventory of all positions1 committees1 task forces1 grants1 and funding streams in the ,federal ,government that are related to mental health and substance use disorders2 and 7,b7 provide suggestions to the ,president1 the ,congress1 and relevant ,federal departments and agencies on removing1 restructuring1 and reorganizing such positions1 committees1 task forces1 grants1 and funding streams4 7#c7 ,knowledge center ,the ,interagency ,coordinator shall establish and maintain a knowledge center to provide to the public1 including by means of a website1 reliable information on mental health and substance use disorders1 including insurance information and navigation tools for the appeals process for insurance denials4 7#d7 ,best practices ,the ,interagency ,coordinator shall identify best practices for-- 7,a7 culturally congruent and linguistically appropriate mental health and substance use disorder care2 7,b7 comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder care2 7,c7 continuity of mental health and substance use disorder care2 7,d7 destigmatization of mental health conditions and substance use disorders2 and 7,e7 education campaigns on mental health and substance use disorders in a variety of settings that include-- 7i7 the full spectrum of education levels1 ranging from prekindergarten through higher education2 7ii7 a range of patient populations1 including pediatric1 adult1 geriatric1 veteran1 racial and ethnic minority populations1 as well as patient populations in the justice system2 7iii7 a range of health care provider populations2 and 7iv7 a range of providers in the justice system4 7#e7 ,guidance on mental health and substance use disorder telehealth treatment across ,state lines ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,interagency ,coordinator shall issue guidance on collaboration among ,states to enable mental health and substance use disorder care professionals to treat patients across ,state lines through telehealth technologies4 7#f7 ,annual report ,not later than one year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,interagency ,coordinator shall submit a public report to the ,congress and the ,president that includes-- 7,a7 a description of the activities of the ,interagency ,coordinator over the reporting period2 7,b7 the strategic goals of the ,interagency ,coordinator over the next #e- and #aj-year periods2 and 7,c7 an inventory of all ,federal programs pertaining to mental health and substance use disorders4 7#g7 ,report ,not later than one year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,interagency ,coordinator shall submit a public report to the ,congress and the ,president-- 7,a7 describing the racial1 ethnic1 disability1 sex1 and gender disparities within the mental health and substance use disorder workforce1 describing how such disparities impact access to care1 particularly for minority populations1 and recommending how to address such disparities2 7,b7 projecting the diversity of mental health and substance use disorder care professional in terms of race1 ethnicity1 sex1 and gender in #e and #aj years2 7,c7 describing the racial1 ethnic1 disability1 sex1 and gender disparities in education and training for the mental health and substance use disorder care professionals1 and recommending how to address such disparities2 7,d7 describing geographic racial1 ethnic1 disability1 sex1 and gender disparities of the mental health and substance use disorder workforce1 and recommending how to address such disparities2 7,e7 recommending ways to include nonsubjective mental health and substance use disorder screenings as a vital sign2 7,f7 recommending ways to create a complexity index for mental health and substance use disorders2 and 7,g7 assessing access to community-based mental health and substance use disorder services in underserved geographic areas and communities of color4 7d7 ,team 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,interagency ,coordinator may appoint such personnel 7in this ,act referred to as the team7 as the ,interagency ,coordinator considers appropriate4 7#b7 ,composition ,the ,interagency ,coordinator shall ensure that the team1 collectively1 has the following experience3 7,a7 ,working in an adult mental health setting4 7,b7 ,working in a geriatric mental health setting4 7,c7 ,working in a child mental health setting4 7,d7 ,working in an adult substance use disorder setting4 7,e7 ,working in a child substance use disorder setting4 7,f7 ,working in the adult justice system with a focus on mental health and substance use disorders4 7,g7 ,working in the juvenile justice system with a focus on mental health and substance use disorders4 7,h7 ,working in a school or college campus-based setting with a focus on mental health and substance use disorders4 7,i7 ,working in a health care facility of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs with a focus on mental health and substance use disorders4 7,j7 ,working in a foster care setting4 7,k7 ,working in an integrated care setting4 7,l7 ,receiving mental health and substance use disorder care as an adult4 7,m7 ,receiving mental health and substance use disorder care as a child4 7,n7 ,having been incarcerated in the adult justice system while suffering from a mental illness or substance use disorder4 7,o7 ,having been detained in the juvenile justice system while suffering from a mental illness or substance use disorder4 7,p7 ,having been placed in a foster care setting4 7,q7 ,experience providing mental health or substance use disorder care in minority and underserved communities4 7#c7 ,delegation of responsibilities ,the ,interagency ,coordinator shall delegate to the team responsibilities including-- 7,a7 using the framework created under subsection 7c77#a72 7,b7 helping to identify ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local partnerships between the public and private sectors for improving mental health and substance use disorders2 and 7,c7 help with implementation of this ,act4 7#d7 ,applicability of certain civil service laws ,the team may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 governing appointments in the competitive service1 and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of that title relating to classification and ,general ,schedule pay rates1 except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of the annual rate of basic pay for ,,gs-#ae of the ,general ,schedule4 7#e7 ,experts and consultants ,the ,interagency ,coordinator may procure temporary and intermittent services under section #caji7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay for ,,gs-#ae of the ,general ,schedule4 7#f7 ,staff of ,federal agencies ,upon request of the ,interagency ,coordinator1 the head of any ,federal department or agency may detail1 on a reimbursable basis1 any of the personnel of that department or agency to the ,interagency ,coordinator to assist it in carrying out the responsibilities under this ,act4 7e7 ,powers 7#a7 ,hearings and sessions ,the ,interagency ,coordinator may1 for the purpose of carrying out this ,act1 hold hearings1 sit and act at times and places1 take testimony1 and receive evidence as the ,interagency ,coordinator considers appropriate4 7#b7 ,powers of team and agents ,any member of the team or agent of the ,interagency ,coordinator may1 if authorized by the ,interagency ,coordinator1 take any action which the ,commission is authorized to take by this section4 7#c7 ,obtaining official data ,the ,interagency ,coordinator may secure directly from any department or agency of the ,united ,states information necessary to enable the ,interagency ,coordinator to carry out this ,act4 ,upon request of the ,interagency ,coordinator1 the head of that department or agency shall1 within #cj days of receiving the request1 furnish that information to the ,interagency ,coordinator4 7#d7 ,mails ,the ,interagency ,coordinator may use the ,united ,states mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the ,united ,states4 7#e7 ,administrative support services ,upon the request of the ,interagency ,coordinator1 the ,administrator of ,general ,services shall provide to the ,interagency ,coordinator1 on a reimbursable basis1 the administrative support services necessary for the ,interagency ,coordinator to carry out the responsibilities under this ,act4 7#f7 ,contract authority ,to the extent or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation ,acts1 the ,interagency ,coordinator may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for supplies and services4 7f7 ,definition ,in this section1 the term culturally congruent means consistent with preferred cultural values1 beliefs1 worldview1 language1 and practices4 #c4 ,cooperation by other ,federal agencies ,the head of each ,federal department or agency seeking to commence development or implementation of a policy1 including through rulemaking or guidance1 that is directly related to mental health or substance use disorder care shall-- 7#a7 give notice of the policy to the ,interagency ,coordinator2 7#b7 in accordance with section #b7;e77#c71 share such information relating to the policy as the ,interagency ,coordinator may request2 and 7#c7 participate in such discussions and meetings regarding the policy as the ,interagency ,coordinator may request for purposes of coordination pursuant to section #b7;b74 #d4 ,study on reimbursement of mental health and substance use disorder services for juveniles 7a7 ,reimbursement of mental health and substance use disorder services provided in preschool1 elementary school1 and secondary school settings ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall-- 7#a7 complete a study on the reimbursement of mental health and substance use disorder care professionals for services provided in preschool1 elementary school1 and secondary school settings2 and 7#b7 submit a public report to the ,congress and the ,president on the findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations resulting from such study4 7b7 ,services available to justice involved juveniles ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall-- 7#a7 complete a study to determine the percentage of the budget of the ,federal ,government and each ,state government1 disaggregated by agency1 used to support mental health and substance use disorder services for juveniles who are arrested or become part of the juvenile or criminal justice systems2 and 7#b7 submit a public report to the ,congress and the ,president on the findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations resulting from such study1 including recommendations on-- 7,a7 whether the amount expended by each ,federal and ,state agency on mental health and substance use disorder services for such juveniles needs to be adjusted2 and 7,b7 any gaps in community-based services for juveniles with mental health conditions or substance use disorders that should be available to prevent such juveniles from becoming part of the juvenile or criminal justice systems4 #e4 ,report on ,interagency ,coordinator's involvement at the ,federal and ,state levels in programs1 decisions1 and changes relating to mental health and substance use disorders ,not later than #e years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall-- 7#a7 submit a report to the ,congress and the ,president on the involvement of the ,interagency ,coordinator and the ,interagency ,coordinator's team at the ,federal and ,state levels in programs1 decisions1 and changes relating to mental and behavioral health2 7#b7 disaggregate the information in such report by year2 and 7#c7 include in such report recommendations on-- 7,a7 ways to improve such involvement of the ,interagency ,coordinator and the ,interagency ,coordinator's team2 and 7,b7 addressing any identified gaps in such involvement4