S. 2826

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to dedicate sufficient resources for the support of LGBTQ+ youth seeking help from the 9–8–8 suicide prevention hotline, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · September 17 (legislative day, September 16), 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Baldwin · Committee: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Table of contents

• S. 2826
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Findings
  • SEC. 3. Suicide prevention hotline services for LGBTQ+ youth

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Findings

• Congress finds that—
  • according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 45 percent of high school students who seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021 identified as LGBTQ+;
  • since its launch, the Specialized Services for LGBTQ+ youth within the 988 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline have received nearly 1,500,000 calls, texts, and chats, with an average of 2,200 contacts per day as of May 2025; and
  • given that LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide as compared to their peers, the Specialized Services for LGBTQ+ youth are equipped with crucial training addressing LGBTQ+ specific challenges and needs.

SEC. 3. Suicide prevention hotline services for LGBTQ+ youth

• (a) In general
  • Section 520E–3(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–36c(b)) is amended—
    • in paragraph (4), by striking and at the end;
    • in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
      • dedicating sufficient resources, including establishing, re-establishing, operating, and maintaining specialized services (known as the Press 3 option or Integrated Voice Response (IVR)), for the support of youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) seeking help from the suicide prevention hotline.
    • by adding at the end the following:
• (b) Funding
  • Section 520E–3(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–36c(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following: . Of the amounts appropriated under this subsection for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not less than 9 percent for carrying out subsection (b)(6).