H.R. 8367

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8367 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8367

To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance outreach to first 
responders in the implementation of the National Suicide Prevention 
Lifeline program, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 20, 2026

Mrs. Cammack introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance outreach to first 
responders in the implementation of the National Suicide Prevention 
Lifeline program, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Answering the Call Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE PROGRAM: OUTREACH TO FIRST 
RESPONDERS.

(a) In General.--Section 520E-3 of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 290bb-36c) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
``(g) Outreach to First Responders.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct outreach 
activities to address barriers to use of the 9-8-8 national 
suicide hotline by first responders, including stigma, lack of 
tailored services, and privacy concerns.
``(2) Activities.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall--
``(A) in coordination with first responder 
organizations, carry out programs and activities to 
promote the 9-8-8 national suicide hotline as a key 
mental health resource for first responders;
``(B) award grants, contracts, or cooperative 
agreements to support public awareness campaigns that 
integrate information about the 9-8-8 national suicide 
hotline into first responder training programs, 
wellness policies, and resources maintained by labor 
organizations;
``(C) collect data on the use of the 9-8-8 national 
suicide hotline by first responders to measure the 
impact of the hotline and inform future outreach 
strategies of the Secretary; and
``(D) develop and disseminate training programs for 
counselors and other staff of the 9-8-8 national 
suicide hotline that incorporate evidence-based, 
trauma-informed, and behavioral-health-focused best 
practices that are specific to first responders.
``(3) Privacy protections.--In collecting data under 
paragraph (2)(C), the Secretary--
``(A) shall ensure that the data collected is 
administered in a manner that protects personal 
privacy, consistent with applicable Federal and State 
privacy laws, including through aggregation and de-
identification of the data;
``(B) shall focus on identifying trends in 
presenting issues and utilization of the 9-8-8 national 
suicide hotline for populations served among first 
responders, rather than collecting personally 
identifiable information; and
``(C) may work in collaboration with State and 
local partners and use existing public health reporting 
mechanisms.
``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) First responder.--The term `first responder' 
includes law enforcement officers, firefighters, 
emergency medical technicians, and public safety 
telecommunicators.
``(B) First responder organization.--The term 
`first responder organization' includes national, 
State, local, Tribal, and nonprofit firefighter, law 
enforcement, emergency medical services, and public 
safety telecommunicator organizations that are 
recognized for their experience and expertise in fire 
prevention and safety programs and activities, 
including labor organizations, professional 
associations, and peer support and behavioral health 
organizations serving first responders.''.
(b) First Responder Organizations Collaboration Pilot Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental 
Health and Substance Use, shall conduct a pilot program to 
provide for collaboration between--
(A) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration;
(B) the United States Fire Administration; and
(C) first responder organizations.
(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the pilot program shall be to 
ensure that outreach activities conducted under section 520E-
3(g) of the Public Health Service Act (as inserted by 
subsection (a) of this section) are appropriately tailored to 
increase awareness of the 9-8-8 national suicide hotline among 
first responders.
(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on the results 
of the pilot program conducted under this subsection.
(4) Definitions.--The definitions in section 520E-3(g) of 
the Public Health Service Act (as inserted by subsection (a) of 
this section) shall apply to this subsection.
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