The C.A.R.E. for Mental Health Professionals Act directs the federal government to establish a grant program that provides funding to states and interstate compact commissions to support mental health professionals who practice across state lines. The bill aims to expand access to counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pediatric mental health professionals by encouraging them to work in states that have agreed to recognize professional licenses from other states through interstate compacts. Eligible recipients include state licensing boards and interstate commissions that manage these professional licensing agreements. The legislation authorizes four million dollars per year in federal grants from 2026 through 2029 to support these efforts. Overall, the bill seeks to reduce barriers that prevent qualified mental health professionals from practicing in multiple states, which could help address workforce shortages and improve access to mental health services nationwide.
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