0
0
0
Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022
4/26/2023, 8:00 PM
Summary of Bill HR 7254
Bill 117 HR 7254, also known as the Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at addressing mental health issues and ensuring parity in mental health coverage.
The bill seeks to improve access to mental health services by expanding Medicaid coverage for mental health treatment and increasing funding for mental health programs. It also aims to strengthen mental health parity laws, which require insurance companies to provide equal coverage for mental health and physical health services.
Additionally, the Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022 includes provisions to address the mental health needs of underserved populations, such as veterans, children, and individuals with substance use disorders. It also calls for increased training for law enforcement officers to better respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Overall, the bill aims to promote mental health equity and ensure that individuals with mental health conditions receive the care and support they need. It is currently being reviewed by Congress and has garnered bipartisan support for its efforts to improve mental health services and address disparities in mental health care.
The bill seeks to improve access to mental health services by expanding Medicaid coverage for mental health treatment and increasing funding for mental health programs. It also aims to strengthen mental health parity laws, which require insurance companies to provide equal coverage for mental health and physical health services.
Additionally, the Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022 includes provisions to address the mental health needs of underserved populations, such as veterans, children, and individuals with substance use disorders. It also calls for increased training for law enforcement officers to better respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Overall, the bill aims to promote mental health equity and ensure that individuals with mental health conditions receive the care and support they need. It is currently being reviewed by Congress and has garnered bipartisan support for its efforts to improve mental health services and address disparities in mental health care.
Congressional Summary of HR 7254
Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022
This bill creates a grant program for mental health first responder units. It also eliminates a provision that permits nonfederal government health insurance plans that are self-funded to opt out of requirements to provide parity between coverage of medical services and mental health services.
Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must award grants to states and local governments to train and dispatch mental health professionals to respond, instead of law enforcement officers, to emergencies that involve people with behavioral health needs. SAMHSA must manage the program in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ). SAMHSA may cancel grants that increase incarceration or institutionalization. Grantees must use funds for purposes including de-escalation and anti-racism training.
The Department of Health and Human Services and the DOJ must evaluate this program.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill HR 7254
Bill HR 7254 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 28, 2022. Bill HR 7254 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on March 28, 2022. Bill HR 7254's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. as of November 1, 2022
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 7254
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
1Republican Sponsors
0Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
2Democrat Cosponsors
2Republican Cosponsors
0Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 7254
Primary Policy Focus
HealthAlternate Title(s) of Bill HR 7254
Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022
Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022
To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States and political subdivisions of States to hire, employ, train, and dispatch mental health professionals to respond in lieu of law enforcement officers in emergencies involving one or more persons with a mental illness or an intellectual or developmental disability, and for other purposes.
Comments
Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 7254
Latest Bills
Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act
Bill S 4285April 21, 2026
Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.
Bill HRES 1180April 21, 2026
Foreign Service Age and Integration and Reform (FAIR) Act of 2026
Bill HR 8346April 21, 2026
American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025
Bill HR 2289April 21, 2026
Semiconductor Controls Effectiveness Act of 2026
Bill HR 8287April 21, 2026
Recognizing and honoring National Mushroom Day and the contributions of Chester and Berks Counties to the national mushroom industry and to healthy diets.
Bill HRES 1184April 21, 2026
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3570 Olney Laytonsville Road in Olney, Maryland, as the "Edward L. Ramsey Olney Post Office Building".
Bill HR 6310April 21, 2026
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, as the "Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. Post Office Building".
Bill HR 6020April 21, 2026
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service at 1300 East Northwest Highway in Palatine, Illinois, as the "Bernie Bluestein Post Office Building".
Bill HR 5773April 21, 2026
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 46164 Westlake Drive in Sterling, Virginia, as the "Firefighter Trevor Brown Post Office Building".
Bill HR 5058April 21, 2026
Mental Health Justice Act of 2021
Bill S 515January 11, 2023
Mental Health Justice Act of 2022
Bill HR 8542March 8, 2023
Mental Health Justice Act of 2021
Bill HR 1368April 26, 2023