Legislation co-sponsored by Co-Chairs of the Mental Health Caucus during 110th Congress:

H.R.3430 - Mental Health in Schools Act of 2007 - Rep Napolitano, Grace F. (D-CA-38)

CRS Summary: Coming Soon

H.R.2220: Mental Health Security for America's Families in Education Act of 2007 - Rep Murphy, Tim (R-PA-18)

CRS Summary: Amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 to allow an educational agency or institution of higher education to disclose to a parent or legal guardian of a student who is a dependent (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) information related to any conduct of, or expression by, the student that demonstrates that the student poses a significant risk of harm to himself or herself or to others, including a significant risk of suicide, homicide, or assault.

Requires, for the disclosure of any such information not otherwise authorized to be disclosed: (1) consultation with an approved mental health professional; and (2) a written certification from such professional that the student poses a significant risk of harm to himself or herself or to others, including a significant risk of suicide, homicide, or assault and that possession of such information by the parent or legal guardian my protect the student's, or others', health or safety.

Permits disclosure under this Act as long as the student is a dependent, regardless of whether the student has attained 18 years of age or is attending an institution of postsecondary education. Provides protections of educational agencies and institutions from liability for disclosure.

H.CON.RES.130: Supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month, and for other purposes - Rep Napolitano, Grace F. (D-CA-38)

CRS Summary: Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month; and (2) President Bush's Commission on Mental Health's finding that the failure to prioritize mental health is a national tragedy.

CRS Summary:Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide, by a gradual increase in the percentage of expenses considered incurred expenses, for a gradual reduction (from 50% to the standard 20%) by 2013 of copayment rates for outpatient psychiatric services under the Medicare program

CRS Summary: Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in developing and implementing the comprehensive program outlined in this Act, should take into consideration the special needs of such veterans and of elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression and experience high rates of suicide.

Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. Requires the program to include: (1) mandatory training for appropriate staff and contractors of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who interact with veterans; (2) screening for suicide risk factors veterans who receive medical care at a Department facility; (3) tracking of veterans; (4) referral of at-risk veterans for counseling and treatment; (5) designation of a suicide prevention counselor at each Department medical facility; (6) research on best practices for suicide prevention; (7) mental health care for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while in military service; (8) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; (9) a toll-free hotline; (10) outreach and education for veterans and their families; and (11) peer support counseling.

Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the program.

CRS Summary: Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit treatment limits or the imposition of financial requirements on mental health and substance-related disorder benefits in group health plans which are not similarly imposed on substantially all medical and surgical benefits in any category of items or services under such plans.

Directs the Comptroller General to study the effect of the implementation of this Act on various aspects of the health care system, including the cost of and access to health insurance coverage, the quality of health care, Medicare, Medicaid, and state and local mental health and substance abuse treatment spending, and spending on public services.