H.R. 6645House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to conduct or support research on the mental health consequences of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:12 PM UTC

The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the National Institute of Mental Health, to carry out research on how COVID‑19 affects mental health. It aims to understand impacts on health‑care workers, long‑term stress effects, digital treatment tools, underserved groups, and suicide risk. The research is to be coordinated with other NIH institutes, and $100 million is authorized each fiscal year from 2021 through 2025 to fund these efforts.

Key Provisions

Direct HHS, via the NIMH director, to conduct or support research on the mental‑health consequences of SARS‑CoV‑2/COVID‑19.
Specify research areas including trauma and distress among health‑care providers, long‑term stress impacts, strengthening mental‑health response, digital interventions, delivery to underserved populations, and suicide prevention.
Require the Secretary to coordinate this research with related NIH institutes and centers.
Authorize up to $100 million in appropriations for each fiscal year 2021‑2025, available until spent.

Legislative Activity

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HouseCommittee Latest Action

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Health Subcommittee

June 30, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 28, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

April 28, 2020

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

April 29, 2020

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Health Subcommittee

June 30, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 28, 2020

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6645

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 28, 2020

Mr. Tonko introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to conduct or support research on the mental health consequences of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19, and for other purposes.

Research on the mental health impact of COVID-19

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary), acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, shall conduct or support research on the mental health consequences of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19.

(b)

Use of funds

Research under subsection (a) may include—

(1)

research on the mental health impact of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19 on health care providers, including—

(A)

traumatic stress;

(B)

psychological distress; and

(C)

psychiatric disorders; and

(2)

research on the impact of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19 stressors on mental health over time;

(3)

research to strengthen the mental health response to SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19, including adapting to and maintaining or providing additional services for new or increasing mental health needs;

(4)

research on the reach, efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of digital mental health interventions;

(5)

research on the effectiveness of strategies for implementation and delivery of evidence-based mental health interventions and services for underserved populations; and

(6)

research on suicide prevention.

(c)

Research coordination

The Secretary shall coordinate activities under this section with similar activities conducted by national research institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health to the extent that such institutes and centers have responsibilities that are related to the mental health consequences of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19.

(d)

Authorization of appropriations

To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, to remain available until expended.