H.R. 8961

119 HR 8961 IH: Student Suicide Prevention Awareness Act of 2026
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-05-21
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 8961  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.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Student Suicide Prevention Awareness Act of 2026  .
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 .