H.R. 2906 would amend the Public Health Service Act to specifically include problem and pathological gambling in programs of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and to establish a national program to address the harmful consequences of problem gambling.
Detailed Summary
Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to establish and implement programs for the identification, prevention, and treatment of problem and pathological gambling.
Requires the Secretary to carry out a national campaign to increase knowledge and raise awareness of problem gambling.
Requires the Secretary to: (1) administer and coordinate the voluntary donation of resources to assist in implementing new programs and augmenting existing national campaigns to provide national strategies for dissemination of information intended to address problem gambling; (2) encourage media outlets to provide information aimed at preventing problem gambling; and (3) target radio and television audiences of, but not limited to, sporting events and gambling.
Requires the President to: (1) establish and implement a national program of research on problem gambling; (2) appoint an advisory commission to coordinate federal research; and (3) consider the National Gambling Impact Study Commission's recommendations.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states, local, and tribal governments, and nonprofit agencies to provide comprehensive services with respect to treatment and prevention of, and education about, problem gambling.
Directs the President, acting through the Administrator, to develop a Treatment Improvement Protocol for problem gambling
Expresses the sense of Congress that every state should contribute a percentage of its revenue from gambling towards prevention and treatment of, and services and education about, problem gambling.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 6/16/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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