Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2022
Floor Speech
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6493) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prevent certain alcohol and substance misuse, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 6493
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2022''. SEC. 2. ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION.
Section 120 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011i) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``drug and alcohol abuse'' and inserting ``alcohol and substance misuse'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees that,'' and inserting ``an evidence-based program to prevent alcohol and substance misuse by students and employees that,'';
(B) by amending paragraph (1)(D) to read as follows:
``(D) a description of any alcohol or substance misuse counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, recovery, re-entry, or recovery support programs provided by the institution (including in partnership with a community-based organization) that are available to employees or students; and''; and
(C) in paragraph (1)(E), by striking ``that the institution will impose'' and inserting ``of the policies of the institution regarding'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) compliance assistance to assist institutions in complying with the requirements of this section.'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Interagency agreement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to--
``(A) develop best practices that inform criteria which satisfy the requirement under subsection (a) that an institution of higher education has adopted and has implemented an evidence-based program described in such subsection;
``(B) establish a process for disseminating the best practices for adopting and implementing such an evidence- based program; and
``(C) establish a process that promotes coordination and collaboration between institutions of higher education and the respective State agencies that administer the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants pursuant to subpart II of part B of title XIX of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-21).
``(3) Guidance.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, issue guidance with respect to the criteria described in paragraph (2)(A).''; and
(4) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``drug abuse'' in the heading and inserting ``substance misuse'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``other organizations'' and inserting ``community-based organizations that partner with institutions of higher education'';
(ii) by striking ``programs of prevention, and education (including treatment-referral) to reduce and eliminate the illegal use of drugs and alcohol and the violence associated with such use'' and inserting ``evidence-based programs of alcohol and substance misuse prevention and education (including programs to improve access to treatment, referral for treatment services, or crisis intervention services) to eliminate illegal substance use, decrease substance misuse, and improve public health and safety''; and
(iii) by striking ``alcohol and drug abuse'' and inserting ``substance use disorder'';
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively; and
(D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Additional uses.--In addition to the activities described in paragraph (1), a grant or contract awarded under paragraph (1) may be used to carry out one or more of the following evidence-based programs or activities:
``(A) Providing programs for recovery support services, and peer-to-peer support services and counseling for students with a substance use disorder.
``(B) Promoting integration and collaboration in campus- based health services between primary care, substance use disorder services, and mental health services.
``(C) Promoting integrated care services for students related to screening, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental, behavioral, and substance use disorders.
``(D) Providing re-entry assistance for students on academic probation due to their substance use disorder.
``(E) Preventing fatal and nonfatal overdoses, including restoring existing mental health and substance use disorder services after a natural disaster or public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d).
``(F) Providing education to students, faculty, or other personnel on--
``(i) recognizing the signs and symptoms of substance use disorder, and how to engage and support a person in a crisis situation;
``(ii) resources available in the community, within the institution of higher education, and other relevant resources for individuals with a substance use disorder; and
``(iii) safely de-escalating crisis situations involving individuals with a substance use disorder.''; and
(E) by amending paragraph (6), as redesignated by subparagraph (C), to read as follows:
``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''. SEC. 3. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS.
Section 487(a)(10) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(10)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(10)'' and inserting ``(10)(A)'';
(2) by striking ``a drug abuse prevention program'' and inserting ``an alcohol and substance misuse prevention program in accordance with section 120''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) The institution shall be considered in compliance with the requirements of subparagraph (A) unless there is a showing that the institution knowing and willfully did not implement a prevention program described in such subparagraph.''. SEC. 4. REPORT.
The Secretary of Education shall report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate on the efforts of the Secretary carried out under the amendments made by this Act, and best practices from institutions receiving a grant under section 120(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011i(e)), as amended by section 2 of this Act--
(1) not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2) three years after the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 5. APPLICABILITY.
The amendments made by sections 2(2) and 3 shall apply to institutions of higher education beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, across the country, students on college campuses are facing an increased incidence of substance misuse.
Even before the pandemic, there was a rising demand for substance prevention and recovery programs on campuses. Unfortunately, the pandemic has only exacerbated the mental health and student well-being crisis.
In fact, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a study found that 89 percent of college students experienced increased anxiety, and one in four students surveyed said their depression significantly increased.
College-aged students misuse substances more than any other age group. In a lot of cases, substance misuse in college can lead to lower academic performance and unemployment after graduation. Tragically, in the worst cases, substance misuse can lead to illness and death.
That is why the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez) acted and introduced the bipartisan Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act.
This bill brings together the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services to encourage institutions to develop evidence-based substance misuse prevention and recovery programs for students with substance use disorders.
This bill also encourages institutions to holistically address substance use and mental health concerns. Importantly, it reauthorizes grants to help institutions carry out these efforts.
Madam Speaker, if we want to tackle the mental health crisis head-on and help our students reach their full potential, then we must invest in their well-being. This legislation will help deliver on that goal.
I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico for leading this effort, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez), who is the sponsor of the legislation.
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Keller from the State of Pennsylvania for their support of this much-needed legislation.
Alcohol and substance misuse is a devastating issue across the country and on college campuses. It steals the dreams and futures of too many of our community.
I lost two brothers to addiction--alcohol and drug misuse. That misuse began during their time in college. My family has never recovered from the loss of those two beautiful brothers of mine, and I understand all too well the pain substance misuse inflicts on students, their families, and their communities. Sadly, my family's story is not unique in New Mexico or across this country.
Since the start of the pandemic, States have reported increased numbers of drug overdoses. Campuses have reported increased mental health concerns in students as well. College students who deal with substance misuse and addiction often find themselves isolated and without a support network.
Congress has an opportunity to address this serious issue by making sure that colleges and universities support students through strong prevention and recovery programs. I don't want to see another headline or obituary of a promising young person lost to overdose.
That is why I introduced the bipartisan Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act along with Representatives Dusty Johnson, Lucy McBath, John Joyce, and Michael Guest. I would also like to acknowledge Representative David Trone who is co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Addiction Task Force of which I am also a member. He led this bill during last Congress.
Our bill will help to cut the chains of addiction and unlock access to treatment and prevention for countless students across the United States. Specifically, it will reauthorize the drug and alcohol abuse prevention provision of the Higher Education Act to promote evidence- based prevention and intervention strategies on college campuses. I have met with college students across my district to hear from them what is needed. What is needed is what is in this bill.
It encourages campus collaboration and service integration to address substance use and mental health concerns in a holistic manner. The bill also authorizes $15 million to implement those grants for fiscal year 2023 and the 5 following years.
I was pleased to see my bill pass unanimously during its markup in the Education and Labor Committee. I thank Chairman Scott and his staff for working to get this bill to the House floor.
Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6493 and to vote ``yes'' in support of our students.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, as lawmakers, we have an opportunity to make a difference in students' lives and protect their health, including their mental health. The benefits of doing so are clear. Students with higher rates of well-being have higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate and be engaged in our community. Unfortunately, mental health issues and substance misuse are rising, and that is a concern for our college campuses.
The Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act will provide both guidance and funding to help make sure that students have the tools that they need to reach their full potential.
Again, I thank the chief sponsor of the bill, Ms. Leger Fernandez; the lead cosponsor of the bill, the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson); and Mr. Keller for their leadership on this important bill.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6493, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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