H.R. 8961

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8961 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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''.
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