Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Passes; Secures Wins for Children's Mental Health

One month after the deadly elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Congress passed a bipartisan bill crafted to prevent future school shootings.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill 234-193 on June 24, following the Senate’s 65-33 vote on June 23.

The legislation will support and expand access to community-based services nationwide and provide substantial new investments in mental health, school safety, and state-led crisis intervention programs.

Here are a few highlights:

• Requires technical assistance and guidance from HHS on how states can improve access to telehealth for services under Medicaid and CHIP

• Requires guidance to state Medicaid agencies, education agencies, and school-based entities regarding the delivery of Medicaid/CHIP services to beneficiaries in school-based settings, including a comprehensive list of best practices and examples of methods to pay for and increase the availability of Medicaid.

• Establishes a Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety Evidence-based Practices to identify and publish evidence-based best practices and recommendations to support a positive and safe learning environment.

• Restructures Health Surveillance and Program support