H.R. 8961

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8961 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8961 To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a public awareness campaign for schools regarding youth suicide prevention resources, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 21, 2026 Mr. Carter of Louisiana (for himself and Mr. Moylan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a public awareness campaign for schools regarding youth suicide prevention resources, 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 ``Student Suicide Prevention Awareness Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR SCHOOLS REGARDING YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES. Section 520B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-32) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end; (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: ``(3) carrying out, in coordination with the Secretary, a public awareness campaign on youth suicide prevention resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, that-- ``(A) includes public outreach with respect to the development of such campaign; and ``(B) provides support to schools to update signage relating to the availability of such resources that meets the requirements specified in subsection (d); and''; (2) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as subsections (e) through (h), respectively; (3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: ``(d) Signage on Availability of Resources.--The requirements specified in this subsection with respect to signage relating to the availability of youth suicide prevention resources are that the signage be clear and visible signage that-- ``(1) includes-- ``(A) the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline phone number; ``(B) information that students can access support by-- ``(i) calling or sending a text message to such phone number; or ``(ii) using digital chat services provided by the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; ``(C) language encouraging students experiencing emotional distress to seek help; and ``(D) language indicating that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week; and ``(2) is displayed, or digitally posted, as applicable, in locations easily visible to students, including-- ``(A) entrances and exits of the school; ``(B) student common areas; ``(C) school counselor offices; ``(D) school nurse offices; ``(E) gymnasiums; ``(F) auditoriums; ``(G) art rooms; ``(H) music rooms; ``(I) libraries; ``(J) student restrooms (including bathroom stalls and sinks) and locker rooms; and ``(K) digital school bulletin boards, as applicable.''; and (4) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2027''. <all>