Bill · S. 3783· Senate(119-S-3783)
Mental Health Career Promotion Act
- Introduced
- 2/5/2026
- Last activity
- 2/5/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S511)
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Mental Health Career Promotion Act," seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create the Mental and Behavioral Health Career Promotion Grant Program. This program will award grants to help establish or expand career promotion programs in schools and community colleges. These programs aim to encourage students in grades 9 through 12 and in public junior or community colleges to pursue careers in mental and behavioral health. The bill also establishes specific requirements for eligible entities, activity types, and reporting procedures.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would students be better off under this?+5
The bill creates new educational opportunities, including internships and mentorships, for students interested in mental health careers.
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+5
The bill establishes a grant program to promote careers in mental and behavioral health, which helps build a future workforce to address access needs.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+4
The program provides internships, mentorships, and career pathways for students in community colleges and high schools.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Career Awareness and Opportunity: The program promotes careers in mental and behavioral health through educational presentations, internships, externships, shadowing opportunities, and mentorships (Section 2(c)). This can help students gain knowledge and practical experience in the field.
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Targeted Support for Students: Grants can be used for activities that are developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate (Section 2(d)).
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Assistance for High-Need Institutions: The Secretary may provide technical assistance to high-need local educational agencies and public junior and community colleges to help them seek grants (Section 2(g)).
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Geographical Inclusion: The Secretary is tasked with ensuring that the awarded grants cover a diverse range of geographical areas (Section 2(f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Funding Limits on Evaluation: Recipients of a grant are prohibited from using more than 10 percent of their received funds for data collection, performance measurement, and performance assessment (Section 2(h)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+5Good For Young Adults+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Children+3Good For Low Income Households+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+2
- 2/5/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S511)
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon