C.A.R.E. for Mental Health Professionals Act

The "C.A.R.E. for Mental Health Professionals Act" directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish the Mental Health Licensure Portability Program within 90 days of enactment. This program aims to expand the mental health workforce by promoting licensure portability across states.

The program will award grants to eligible entities, specifically professional, psychiatric, psychological, social work, or pediatric counseling interstate compact commissions or state licensure boards participating in occupational licensure compacts. These grants are intended to incentivize counselors to practice in states that have entered into such interstate compacts, thereby increasing the availability of credentialed mental health professionals.

Additionally, the funding will support the development, operation, or maintenance of interstate compact commissions, which are joint governmental agencies responsible for implementing and facilitating these compacts. The bill defines "counselor" broadly to include various licensed professionals providing guidance for personal, social, or psychological problems.

To carry out this Act, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $4,000,000 annually for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.