S.414 - Advancing Digital Support for Mental Health Services Act; ADS for Mental Health Services Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.414, the Advancing Digital Support for Mental Health Services Act, mandates that covered digital advertising platforms (those with over 100 million unique monthly users) report their public service advertisements annually to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These reports must include the number, percentage, and estimated dollar value of public service advertisements, with a focus on mental, behavioral, and physical health care resources. The FTC is then required to submit a summary report to Congress annually.
Expected Effects
This bill aims to increase transparency regarding the use of digital advertising platforms for public service announcements, particularly those related to mental health. The intended effect is to provide data that can inform policy decisions and improve the delivery of mental health resources to the public. Ultimately, the goal is to leverage digital advertising to promote mental health awareness and access to care.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in digital advertising for public service announcements.
- Better understanding of the resources allocated to mental health promotion on digital platforms.
- Potential for improved targeting and delivery of mental health resources to those in need.
- Data-driven insights for policymakers to enhance mental health initiatives.
- Promotion of free mental, behavioral, or physical health care resources.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential burden on digital advertising platforms to comply with reporting requirements.
- Possible privacy concerns related to data collection, although the bill states it should not supersede privacy laws.
- The definition of 'public service advertisement' could be subject to interpretation, leading to inconsistencies in reporting.
- The effectiveness of the advertisements themselves is not guaranteed by the reporting requirements.
- Costs associated with FTC's report to Congress.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to promote mental health. The First Amendment implications regarding freedom of speech are minimal, as the bill focuses on reporting requirements rather than restricting content. The legislative power to regulate commerce is derived from Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3, which grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate commerce, including digital advertising platforms.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).