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House Passes Bonamici-Backed Legislation to Improve Student Mental Health

September 29, 2022

Includes Bonamici Provisions to Help Students with Disabilities Access College Support Services

WASHINGTON, DC [09/29/22] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) helped the House pass legislation that will support and improve student mental health.

The Mental Health Matters Act will build a pipeline of school-based mental health service providers and invest in Head Start to address the mental and behavioral health of young children and support staff wellness. The legislation also includes Bonamici's bipartisan, bicameral RISE Act, which would allow college students to use existing documentation of a disability when seeking accommodations on campus, saving families hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

"Our nation's students continue to face significant and serious challenges to their social, emotional, and mental health as they return to school – we must meet them where they are by providing evidence-based treatment and support so they can learn and thrive," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "This timely legislation provides needed resources and will greatly improve the behavioral health of children and school staff.

"I'm grateful that the legislation includes provisions I wrote to support students with disabilities beyond their high school education. Students with disabilities face many barriers to earning a degree or credential after high school. Without the proper accommodations, students with disabilities complete college at a lower rate than their peers. My bipartisan RISE Act aims to provide students with disabilities with affirmation, comfort, and peace of mind during their transition from high school to college by allowing college students to use existing documentation of a disability. This action alone will save families hundreds – even thousands – of dollars."

Bonamici spoke in support of the legislation on the House floor. The video can be viewed here.

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