To amend the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Jahana Hayes (Democratic-CT)February 11, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Schools would get federal money to boost mental health and trauma support for students.

This bill would authorize the appropriation of $50,000,000 each year to help schools offer better mental health and trauma support for students. It would create a grant program for schools to work with community groups, train staff, and provide services to children and teens. This aims to make learning environments safer and more supportive.

What Would Change

This bill would replace the existing Section 7134 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. The new section would authorize the appropriation of $50,000,000 each year for five government's budget years. This money would fund grants to improve trauma support and mental health care for children and youth in schools.

Key Provisions

Authorizes the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants for these programs.
Lets schools and other eligible groups apply for federal grants to improve mental health and trauma support for students and staff.
Grant recipients must use the money for at least one of eight specific evidence-based programs. These include training teachers or working with community mental health services.
Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of the government's budget years from 2027 through 2031 to pay for these grants.
Reserves up to 3% of the funding for program evaluations and up to 2% for technical assistance and administration.

View on Congress.gov

HR 7497 · 119th Congress · February 11, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10

Requires grant recipients to create formal agreements with local agencies like early childhood programs, mental health services, and child welfare agencies.

Ensures that federal grant money adds to, rather than replaces, other existing funds for these programs.

Requires the Secretary of Education to make sure grant awards are fairly distributed across different parts of the country and various communities.

Clarifies that the bill does not prevent reporting crimes committed by a student or stop law enforcement from doing their job.

Requires the Secretary of Education to consult with Indian Tribes, Regional Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Educational Organizations when awarding grants.

Lobbying Activity

3 filings mentioned this bill

Top Lobbying Clients

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

2 filings

NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

1 filing

Top Lobbying Firms

1.NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS2 filings

2.NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION1 filing

Amounts reflect total quarterly lobbying spend reported to the Senate, not bill-specific spending. Source: Senate LDA filings.

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