CARE for Mental Health Professionals Act Compacts, Access, and...
A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a grant program to be known as the Mental Health Licensure Portability Program to award grants to eligible entities, and for other purposes.
This bill, SB5137, aims to create a grant program called the Mental Health Licensure Portability Program. It would allow mental health professionals to more easily obtain licenses across state lines, improving access to mental health services. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would manage this program through the Health Resources and Services Administration, providing grants to eligible entities to support this effort.
The bill would primarily benefit mental health professionals and the patients they serve. By making it easier for professionals to get licenses in different states, it can help address shortages of mental health providers in certain areas, ensuring that more people can access the care they need. Patients, especially those in underserved regions, would see more timely and effective mental health services.
As of the latest update on 2026-07-27, the bill has been introduced and read twice in the Senate. It has then been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. This committee will review the bill, potentially hold hearings, and decide whether to advance it to the full Senate for further consideration.
