SR-07-23-2013-13CCITY CLERK'S OFFICE - MEMORANDUM
To: City Councilmembers
From: Mayor O'Connor
Date: July 23, 2013
13 -C: Request of Mayor O'Connor for Council to support Congressman Waxman's
"Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Act of 2013 ". The legislation
provides a framework for moving forward in the areas of gun safety, mental
health, and gun violence - related research. The bill would prohibit the sale of
certain "homemade" gun kits and parts used in the June 7, 2013 Santa Monica
shootings, target research on serious mental illness, improve access to
mental health services, and reinforce existing government authorities to carry
out public health research on gun violence. The measure is consistent with
previously approved Council policy.
July 23, 2013
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GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION ACT OF 2013
Summary of Legislation
In the wake of the Newtown massacre last fall and the recent shootings in Santa Monica, the
country remains concerned about our national epidemic of gun violence — its causes, its impact,
and the need to prevent such violence altogether.
Preventing or reducing gun violence requires a comprehensive approach. In addition to
enhanced background checks, a ban on assault weapons, and limitations on the size of
ammunition magazines or storage devices, we must take steps to promote gun safety, strengthen
our mental health infrastructure, and support gun violence - related research — all to ensure that we
keep our children, our families, and our communities safe.
The Waxman Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Act of 2013 provides a framework for
moving forward in the areas of gun safety, mental health, and gun violence- related research. In
brief, the bill would prohibit the sale of certain "homemade" gun kits and parts used in the Santa
Monica shootings, target research on serious mental illness, improve access to mental health
services for all, and reinforce existing government authorities to carry out public health research
on gun violence.
TITLE I: PROMOTING GUN SAFETY
® Prohibits the sale (including Internet sales) of firearm receiver castings or blanks (that when
completed function as firearm frames or receivers and are sometimes called "80% receivers"
or "95% receivers "), assault weapon pails kits, and machine gun parts kits.
TITLE II: STRENGTEHNING THE NATION'S MENTAL HEALTH
INFRASTRUCTURE
Subtitle A: Advancing Research on Serious Mental Illness
a Expands the mission of the National Institute of Mental Health to specifically address
research on serious mental illness (SMI), including diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar
affective disorder, and severe depression.
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• Establishes a new research program on the causes, prevention, and treatment of SMI, as well
as interventions to improve early identification and referral for treatment.
Subtitle B: Improving the Mental Health Workforce
• Reauthorizes the Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Program to train
psychologists, social workers, and child and adolescent mental health providers.
• Increases funding for scholarships and loan repayments for mental health professionals
through the National Health Service Corps.
Establishes a new initiative, Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education (AWARE),
that: (1) provides support for various school -based mental health programs, including
training for school personnel to identify and respond to signs of mental illness and substance
use; (2) reauthorizes the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act that supports suicide prevention
services and access to mental health and substance use disorder services for college -aged
youth and young adults; and (3) provides support for community -based mental health
awareness training (e.g., through programs such as the Mental Health First Aid Program)
targeted on teachers and other community members who interact regularly with children and
youth.
• Establishes a new program to develop continuing education training curricula targeted to
health care professionals (including primary care providers, pediatricians, and emergency
medical technicians) to identify, refer, and treat individuals with serious mental illness.
• Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidance on the
requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( HIPAA) to ensure
that HIPAA training includes a clear explanation of the circumstances under which health
care providers are permitted or required to disclose protected health information for people
with mental illness.
Subtitle C: Expanding Access to Mental Health Services
• Provides support for programs designed to integrate behavioral health services into primary
care settings, including programs that co- locate mental health services and coordinate care in
organizations such as community health centers.
• Reauthorizes the National Child Stress Initiative that addresses the mental, behavioral, and
biological aspects of recovery from psychological trauma in children.
• Establishes a new program of federally qualified behavioral health centers (FQBHCs).
FQBHCs are community mental health centers (CMHCs) that: (1) meet higher standards of
care for treating mental health and substance use disorders; and (2) provide health risk
assessments. CMHCs certified as FQBHCs receive enhanced Medicaid reimbursement for
the services provided.
• Provides support to states for the construction and modernization of facilities used to provide
mental health and substance use disorder services.
• Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the availability
of inpatient beds for the treatment of mental illness and substance use disorders, including
the impact of the Medicaid Institutions for Mental Disease exclusion on individuals with
SMI.
• Revises the annual reporting requirements for all Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA) grantees to both better account for the use of grant
dollars and better measure the quality and impact of the services provided.
• Directs the HHS Secretary to ensure that the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
is carried out in accordance with Congressional intent.
Subtitle D: Promoting Mental Illness Public Awareness and Reducing Mental Illness
Stigma
® Provides support for a national campaign to promote mental health awareness and reduce the
stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness.
TITLE HI: UNDERSTANDING THE EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE
• Reaffirms the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct
research (including data collection) on the causes and prevention of gun violence as well as
the treatment of injuries related to such violence.
• Directs the HHS Secretary to improve the National Violent Death Reporting System,
including through the voluntary participation of additional states in the System.
• Ensures the protection of the confidential doctor - patient relationship as it relates to
discussions about gun safety.