Bill funds states to let mental health workers practice across state lines
H.R. 9866 — C.A.R.E. for Mental Health Professionals Act · Filed by Joe Neguse (D-CO) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Jul 22, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
The bill gives $4 million per year from 2026 to 2029 to states. States use the money to set up interstate compacts. These compacts let counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pediatric mental health professionals work in multiple states. Workers no longer need a new license in each state.
Who it affects
People who need mental health care gain access to more professionals. Mental health workers can practice in more states. State licensing boards receive grant money.
One thing to notice
The bill does not say how much mental health care will cost. It does not say whether insurance will pay for it in all states.
From the analysis of the bill text, linked under Primary records below.
Where it stands
1 cosponsor: 1 Republicans.
- Jul 22, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
- Jul 22, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce”
Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.
Words to know
- interstate compacts — Agreements between states that let professionals licensed in one state work in another.
- licensing boards — State groups that decide who can work as a counselor, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
- pediatric mental health professionals — Doctors and counselors who treat children's mental health and emotions.
How this was measured
Analysis — Quorum's AI read the bill text published by Congress.gov (2,325 characters) on Jul 23, 2026. Section numbers in the findings refer to that text, linked below; transparency and hidden-provision scores are compared against the median of 14,707 analysed bills.
Status and sponsors — Congress.gov's bill record — actions, committee referrals and cosponsors — loaded nightly. The timeline shows status changes, not every procedural action.
As of — page rendered 2026-09-23.
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