Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Tribal Technical Advisory Committee

Title V of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 501C (42 U.S.C. 290aa–0b) the following: 501D. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (a) Establishment The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, shall establish within the Administration a Tribal Technical Advisory Committee to be known as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (referred to in this section as the TTAC). (b) Purpose The purpose of the TTAC shall be to serve as an advisory committee to the Assistant Secretary regarding the provision of culturally appropriate mental health and substance use services to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, including— (1) identifying behavioral health priorities for children and youth in Tribal communities; (2) improving the quality and effectiveness of behavioral health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives; (3) identifying evolving issues and barriers to access, coverage, and delivery of services relating to substance use and mental health services; (4) increasing Tribal consultation in program planning and policies of the Administration; (5) supporting and enhancing government-to-government relationships between Indian Tribes and the Administration; and (6) providing recommendations on the policies and activities of the Administration that affect Tribal communities. (c) Membership (1) Appointment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026, the Assistant Secretary shall appoint the members of the TTAC in accordance with this subsection. (2) Composition The TTAC shall be composed of not fewer than 14 members, including the following: (A) 1 representative from each of the 12 service areas of the Indian Health Service; (B) 2 representatives from national Tribal organizations or urban Indian organizations (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act) who possess national expertise in behavioral health. (3) Qualifications Each member of the TTAC appointed under paragraph (2) shall— (A) be an elected Tribal official, acting in their official capacity as an elected official of their Tribe, or be designated by an elected Tribal official, in that official’s elected capacity, with authority to act on behalf of the Tribal official; and (B) have expertise in behavioral health, public health, or related fields. (4) Terms (A) In general Each member of the TTAC shall be appointed for a term of 2 years. (B) Vacancies A vacancy in the TTAC shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made and shall not affect the powers or duties of the TTAC. (5) Tribal technical advisors The Secretary shall ensure that TTAC members have the support of Tribal technical advisors that have subject matter expertise to support the work of the TTAC. (d) Duties The TTAC shall— (1) provide advice to the Assistant Secretary on policies and programs affecting Tribal communities; (2) identify emerging issues and concerns regarding behavioral health in Tribal communities; (3) propose solutions and recommendations for addressing identified issues; and (4) submit an annual report to the Assistant Secretary summarizing the activities and recommendations of the TTAC. (e) Support (1) Staff The Assistant Secretary shall provide such staff and support services as may be necessary for the TTAC to carry out its duties. (2) Compensation Members of the TTAC who are not officers or employees of the United States shall not receive compensation for service on the TTAC, but may receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (f) Applicability of FACA Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Federal Advisory Committee Act), shall not apply to the Committee. (g) Effect Nothing in this section shall— (1) limit the obligation of the United States to provide services to American Indians and Alaska Natives; or (2) modify, diminish, or otherwise affect the trust responsibility of the United States to Indian Tribes. (h) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032..