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H.R. 5703House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Post-Disaster Mental Health Response Act

Sponsored by Ayanna PressleyRep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)
Introduced October 22, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 7:32 AM UTC

The Post‑Disaster Mental Health Response Act amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to let the President provide professional counseling services to people affected by a declared emergency. It expands the disaster response toolkit to include mental‑health care for victims of natural or man‑made disasters.

Key Provisions

  • Amends Section 502(a)(6) of the Stafford Act by adding “and section 416,” which authorizes crisis counseling assistance and training for disaster victims.
  • Allows the President to fund and deliver professional mental‑health counseling to individuals impacted by emergencies declared under the Stafford Act.

Legislative Activity

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7 earlier actions
HouseCalendars Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 379.

September 28, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 22, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

October 22, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee

October 25, 2021

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

April 28, 2022

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

April 28, 2022

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

April 28, 2022

HouseCommittee

Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 117-504.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

September 28, 2022

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 379.

September 28, 2022

Bill Text

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Reported in HouseIssued September 28, 2022

IB

Union Calendar No. 379

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5703

[Report No. 117–504]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 22, 2021

Ms. Pressley (for herself, Ms. Titus, Mr. McKinley, and Mr. Meijer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

September 28, 2022

Additional sponsors: Mr. Garbarino, Mr. Moolenaar, Mrs. Axne, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Katko, Ms. Wild, Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio, Mr. Allred, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, Ms. Williams of Georgia, and Ms. Plaskett

September 28, 2022

Reported from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

A BILL

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide professional counseling services to victims of emergencies declared under such Act, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Post-Disaster Mental Health Response Act.

2.

Crisis counseling assistance and training

Section 502(a)(6) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5192(a)(6)) is amended by inserting and section 416 after section 408.

September 28, 2022

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed