Healthcare (Mental Health)

This bill expands the District of Columbia's Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to include certified addiction counselors, allowing them to receive debt repayment in exchange for working in underserved areas. It also clarifies that the program can cover up to 100% of eligible professionals' student loans, with maximum repayment caps ranging from $45,000 to $200,000 depending on their specific role and service commitment. Additionally, the legislation grants the Mayor the authority to adjust annual repayment amounts and allocation procedures based on available funding and the Consumer Price Index. These changes aim to improve access to healthcare for District residents by incentivizing medical and mental health professionals to work in Health Professional Shortage Areas.

This ceremonial resolution officially recognizes June 2026 as Men's Health Month and the period from June 15 to 21 as Men's Health Week within the District of Columbia. The measure aims to raise public awareness about men's physical and mental health needs, highlighting issues such as higher rates of chronic disease, premature mortality, and the "Deaths of Despair" linked to suicide and substance use. By designating these dates, the Council encourages organizations, families, and individuals to participate in health awareness events and promote preventive care. The resolution does not allocate funding or change laws but serves to formally acknowledge the importance of addressing unique health challenges faced by men and boys.

This bill confirms the reappointment of Juanita Price to the Violence Fatality Review Committee in the District of Columbia, where she will serve as a representative from an organization providing mental and behavioral health services. The resolution officially approves her nomination for a term ending October 12, 2028, following her extensive background in managing mental health agencies and social service organizations. The legislation requires the Council to transmit a copy of the resolution to both the nominee and the Mayor upon adoption, with immediate effect. This procedural action facilitates Price's continued role on the committee that reviews cases of violence-related deaths in the District.

This bill protects District of Columbia residents' health data by requiring companies that collect it to obtain explicit consent before use, publish clear privacy policies, and allow data deletion within 183 days. It directly affects health apps, medical providers, and any organization handling personal health information (like medical records or mental health data). Key provisions ban location tracking near health facilities (geofencing), mandate transparent data-sharing disclosures, and give people the right to demand data removal. The law creates enforceable privacy rules for health data, aligning DC with similar state-level protections.

This resolution urges the District of Columbia Mayor to prioritize specialized behavioral health professionals over police for mental health crises. It directly affects DC residents experiencing behavioral health emergencies and DC government agencies like the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). Key provisions include improving call diversion to DBH helplines (targeting 90% of calls answered within 15-20 seconds by 2027), implementing "warm handoff" follow-ups, expanding mobile crisis teams to respond within 5-9 minutes, and developing community-based crisis care options to reduce hospitalizations. The resolution emphasizes trauma-informed care and community input, aiming to align behavioral health crisis response with the urgency of physical health emergencies.

This bill (B 26-0226) makes permanent a District of Columbia pilot program that provides targeted support for people with substance use disorders (SUD) in high-need neighborhoods. It requires the Department of Behavioral Health to establish a program offering direct support (like crisis assessments), relationship development through consistent outreach, and resource brokering to connect individuals with housing, healthcare, and other services. The program designates specific geographic areas for focused intervention based on criteria like overdose rates, public substance use, and high pedestrian activity. Performance data on outcomes - including connections to treatment and overdose reversals - must be publicly reported every 90 days.