The PEER Support Act creates a new federal job classification for peer support specialists - individuals with lived experience in mental health or substance use recovery who provide support to others - by 2026. It establishes an Office of Recovery within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to lead training, certification, and career development for these specialists, including sharing best practices with states. The bill also requires a federal report analyzing state criminal background check laws for peer support specialists and recommending ways to reduce barriers to certification. This legislation directly affects peer support specialists, state certification programs, and federal agencies managing mental health services.
This bill amends the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Department of Veterans Affairs' Solid Start Program to enhance mental health support during military-to-civilian transitions. It requires TAP to provide specific information on suicide risk factors (including depression, homelessness, and relationship strain), treatment options for conditions like PTSD and substance abuse, and the impact of losing social support systems. The Solid Start Program must now assist veterans in enrolling in VA healthcare and educate them about available mental health resources. The Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs must jointly report to Congress within one year on the materials developed under these changes.
HR 2351 requires the Coast Guard Commandant to update policies ensuring naloxone (a medication for opioid overdoses) is available for Coast Guard personnel. It mandates naloxone access at all Coast Guard installations and in all operational settings, including vessels and facilities. The bill also requires a two-year report to Congress detailing implementation progress, Coast Guard substance abuse trends (including fentanyl), and naloxone usage data. All provisions must comply with federal privacy laws like the Privacy Act.
This bill prohibits federal funding for any state, local, tribal, or private entity operating an injection center that violates the Controlled Substances Act's Crack House Statute (21 U.S.C. 856), which bans drug use in buildings. It directly affects organizations running facilities where illegal drug use occurs, cutting off all federal grants or programs from such entities. The law does not create new drug offenses but withholds existing federal funds from facilities operating in violation of current law. It applies broadly to all federal funding streams, not just specific programs.
S 1022 amends Section 547 of the Public Health Service Act to increase annual funding for community recovery programs from $5 million to $16 million, covering fiscal years 2025-2029. It updates the program's name from "Building Communities of Recovery" to "Strengthening Communities of Recovery" and adjusts the funding period. This directly affects communities receiving federal support for substance use disorder recovery services under the Public Health Service Act.
This bill increases annual funding for community recovery programs under the Public Health Service Act from $5 million to $17 million per year, effective for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. It directly affects communities receiving federal support for substance use disorder and mental health services through existing grant programs. The key provision replaces previous funding levels (set for 2019-2023) with higher, extended funding for the next five years. This change provides greater financial support for local organizations addressing recovery needs without altering program requirements or eligibility.
HR 957, the Parity Enforcement Act of 2025, strengthens enforcement of mental health and substance use disorder coverage parity requirements under federal law. It expands accountability for violations to include not only health plan sponsors but also service providers and administrators of group health plans. The bill adds civil monetary penalties for failing to meet parity rules, specifically targeting requirements related to mental health, substance use disorder coverage, and genetic information protections. These changes apply to health plans for years beginning one year after the bill's enactment. The law directly affects employers, insurers, and health plan administrators offering group health coverage.
This bill extends existing federal reentry programs under the Second Chance Act through 2030, continuing funding for services supporting people returning to communities after incarceration. It specifically maintains grants for state/local reentry projects (including substance use treatment, housing, and peer recovery services), family-based substance abuse treatment, prison/jail educational programs, career training, and community mentoring by nonprofits. The bill updates program timelines from their previous 2019-2023 authorization period to 2026-2030 without altering the core services provided. It directly affects state/local agencies, prisons, and nonprofit organizations administering these reentry programs. The legislation focuses solely on extending current funding mechanisms, not changing program requirements or creating new initiatives.
HR 3758, the Workers’ Disability Benefits Parity Act of 2025, requires disability benefit plans (like those provided by employers or insurers) to provide equal treatment for claims related to mental health conditions or substance use disorders as they do for physical health conditions. It prohibits plans from imposing stricter limitations - such as shorter benefit durations - on mental health/substance use disorder claims compared to physical health claims. The bill also mandates that any physical health condition resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder must be considered part of the original disability. Enforcement includes civil penalties for noncompliance, with the law taking effect 18 months after enactment for most plans.
This bill reauthorizes and updates federal funding for youth substance misuse prevention programs through 2030. It amends the SUPPORT Act to clarify that programs can be administered by consortia of schools (replacing "local educational agencies"), updates definitions to align with existing law (including tribal terms), and requires grant recipients to submit sustainability plans after funding ends. The bill authorizes increasing annual funding from $10 million in 2026 to $15 million in 2030. It directly affects secondary schools, tribal organizations, and state/local programs providing youth prevention services.
