H.R. 1735 modifies the federal Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program to allow states to use a portion of their funding for prevention and early intervention mental health services. The bill specifically permits states to spend up to 5 percent of their annual block grant allocation on evidence-based programs designed to prevent, delay, or reduce mental illness and behavioral problems in children, adolescents, and adults—regardless of whether they currently have a diagnosed serious mental illness. The legislation affects states that choose to participate, mental health providers, and individuals seeking preventive mental health care. To track progress, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report to Congress within one year of enactment and then every two years thereafter on which states use this option, what services they provide, who they serve, and whether these programs successfully reduce delays in accessing care and lessen the severity of mental health conditions. The bill was introduced in February 2025 with bipartisan support.
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