Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4468 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4468 To address behavioral health and well-being among education professionals and other school staff. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 30, 2026 Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. King, and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To address behavioral health and well-being among education professionals and other school staff. 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 ``Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. DISSEMINATION OF BEST PRACTICES. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary''), in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall identify and disseminate evidence-based or evidence-informed best practices for-- (1) preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency among education professionals and other school staff; and (2) training education professionals and other school staff in appropriate strategies to support, maintain, and promote their mental health. SEC. 3. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS INITIATIVE ENCOURAGING USE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES BY EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER SCHOOL STAFF. (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including medical professional associations, shall establish a national evidence-based or evidence-informed education and awareness initiative-- (1) to encourage education professionals an