Sponsors (3)
Official title: 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.
Introduced April 20, 2026 by Kat Cammack · Last progress April 20, 2026
The bill expands access to and the quality of 9-8-8 crisis supports for first responders through training, grants, and data-driven outreach, but does so at some fiscal cost and with potential resource diversion and privacy risks that must be managed.
First responders (law-enforcement, firefighters-EMS) will have greater awareness of and access to 9-8-8 and will receive crisis care from counselors trained in trauma-informed, evidence-based practices tailored to their needs, improving immediate support and care quality.
State and local agencies and first responder organizations can receive grants and cooperative agreements to integrate 9-8-8 into trainings and workplace wellness programs, supporting sustained outreach and workplace-based supports.
HHS and partner agencies will have access to aggregated, de-identified hotline usage data to target outreach and improve services without exposing individual identities.
Taxpayers may face additional costs to fund grants, pilot programs, and administration because the bill authorizes spending without specifying an appropriation amount.
If funding is limited, SAMHSA and local agencies may need to divert staff and resources to outreach and 9-8-8 integration, potentially reducing attention to other behavioral-health services and affecting patients needing those services.
Law enforcement and other first responders could face privacy risks if aggregated usage data are re-identified or mishandled by partners, raising concerns about confidentiality.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs HHS to run outreach, grants, data collection, and counselor training to improve first responder use of the 9‑8‑8 crisis hotline and creates a SAMHSA pilot program.
Directs the HHS Secretary to run outreach and support activities so first responders better use the 9‑8‑8 national suicide and crisis hotline. It requires coordination with first responder organizations, funding awards for public awareness integrated into training and wellness policies, collection of de‑identified usage data, and development/dissemination of counselor training tailored to first responders. Creates a SAMHSA-led pilot to coordinate the U.S. Fire Administration and first responder organizations to tailor outreach and training, and requires a report to Congress on pilot results within three years.