HR 7644 — Pride in Mental Health Act

Summary

Pride in Mental Health Act This bill expands programs that prevent and treat child abuse and neglect to address issues facing youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, or gender-variant members of indigenous communities (e.g., Two Spirit). Specifically, these programs include (1) research and reporting requirements, (2) providing technical assistance, (3) grants to states and local agencies to train child-welfare personnel, and (4) community-based prevention-service grants. The bill also establishes a grant program to provide mental and behavioral health resources for such youth, including trauma-informed care.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html May 03, 2022

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to enhance protections and address issues specifically affecting LGBTQ+ youth and their families.

• 42 U.S.C. 5105

  (N) child abuse and neglect issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, and Two Spirit youth and families, including-- (i) providing recommendations for improving the collection of data at the Federal, State, and local levels to better identify young people who may be at risk of, or experiencing, child abuse or neglect or adverse childhood experiences because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; and (ii) the effectiveness of mandated child abuse and neglect reporters specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, and Two Spirit youth and families and the extent to which implicit bias or lack of cultural competency affect such mandated reporters;

  This addition specifically addresses the unique challenges LGBTQ+ youth face regarding child abuse and neglect.

• 42 U.S.C. 5105

  paragraph (1)(O) → paragraph (1)(P)

  This change adjusts the numbering of subparagraphs due to the insertion of a new subparagraph.

• 42 U.S.C. 5105

  or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, and Two Spirit youth

  This insertion expands the description of children with disabilities to include LGBTQ+ youth.

• 42 U.S.C. 5106(a)(1)(E)

  and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, and Two Spirit youth

  This addition recognizes LGBTQ+ youth in training programs for best practices in child welfare.

• 42 U.S.C. 5106a(d)(1)

  , disaggregated by demographic characteristics such as age, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression)

  This change requires data collection on LGBTQ+ youth, which enhances the understanding of their needs.

• 42 U.S.C. 5106c

  paragraphs (3) and (4) → paragraphs (4) and (5)

  This renumbering is necessary to accommodate the insertion of a new paragraph.

• 42 U.S.C. 5106c(a)

  (3) the assessment and investigation of cases involving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, and Two Spirit youth who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect;

  This addition focuses on the assessment and investigation of cases specifically involving LGBTQ+ youth.

• 42 U.S.C. 5116(b)(1)(G)

  (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, and Two Spirit youth and families)

  This change broadens the focus of outreach and resources to include LGBTQ+ youth and families.

• 42 U.S.C. 5116a(2)(A)

  and families with other vulnerable youth, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, and Two Spirit youth

  This addition emphasizes the need for support for LGBTQ+ youth within vulnerable populations.

• 42 U.S.C. 5116a(3)(A)

  public sector and private nonprofit sector service providers, and parents with disabilities → public sector and private nonprofit sector service providers, parents with disabilities, and parents of other vulnerable youth, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, and Two Spirit youth

  This change acknowledges parents of LGBTQ+ youth in service provider outreach.

• 42 U.S.C. 5116f(4)

  and parents with disabilities → parents with disabilities, and families with other vulnerable youth, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, and Two Spirit youth

  This revision ensures inclusion of LGBTQ+ families in the context of support services.

Action History

1. May 03, 2022

   Introduced in House

2. May 03, 2022

   Introduced in House

3. May 03, 2022

   Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

4. May 03, 2022

   Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsors

• Sharice Davids · Primary

Subjects