H.R. 6249 — Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act

This section expands the crisis counseling assistance and training program under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (i.e., professional counseling services, including financial assistance to certain organizations and training of disaster workers, for victims of major disasters) to cover substance use and alcohol use problems caused or aggravated by such disasters (in addition to mental health problems). It authorizes assistance to private mental health, substance use, or alcohol use organizations (previously, only mental health organizations) and applies the training requirement—ensuring counselors are trained to address disaster impacts, including for socio-economically disadvantaged individuals—to such expanded organizations.

This section directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and state alcohol and drug agencies, to review, adjust, and report to Congress within 180 days of enactment any changes made to the application for assistance under section 416 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5183)—which authorizes crisis counseling for major disaster victims—and to relevant guidance documents to reflect amendments made by this Act.

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to review assistance provided under the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (42 U.S.C. 5183)—which authorizes the President to provide professional counseling services to victims of major disasters for mental health problems caused or aggravated by such disasters—and submit a report to Congress describing (1) the duration of assistance provided to individuals under the program and (2) the compliance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator with requirements limiting such assistance to mental health, substance use, and alcohol use problems caused or aggravated by a major disaster or its aftermath.