[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8367 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8367
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 20, 2026
Mrs. Cammack introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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.
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 ``Answering the Call Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE PROGRAM: OUTREACH TO FIRST
RESPONDERS.
(a) In General.--Section 520E-3 of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 290bb-36c) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
``(g) Outreach to First Responders.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct outreach
activities to address barriers to use of the 9-8-8 national
suicide hotline by first responders, including stigma, lack of
tailored services, and privacy concerns.
``(2) Activities.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall--
``(A) in coordination with first responder
organizations, carry out programs and activities to
promote the 9-8-8 national suicide hotline as a key
mental health resource for first responders;
``(B) award grants, contracts, or cooperative
agreements to support public awareness campaigns that
integrate information about the 9-8-8 national suicide
hotline into first responder training programs,
wellness policies, and resources maintained by labor
organizations;
``(C) collect data on the use of the 9-8-8 national
suicide hotline by first responders to measure the
impact of the hotline and inform future outreach
strategies of the Secretary; and
``(D) develop and disseminate training programs for
counselors and other staff of the 9-8-8 national
suicide hotline that incorporate evidence-based,
trauma-informed, and behavioral-health-focused best
practices that are specific to first responders.
``(3) Privacy protections.--In collecting data under
paragraph (2)(C), the Secretary--
``(A) shall ensure that the data collected is
administered in a manner that protects personal
privacy, consistent with applicable Federal and State
privacy laws, including through aggregation and de-
identification of the data;
``(B) shall focus on identifying trends in
presenting issues and utilization of the 9-8-8 national
suicide hotline for populations served among first
responders, rather than collecting personally
identifiable information; and
``(C) may work in collaboration with State and
local partners and use existing public health reporting
mechanisms.
``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) First responder.--The term `first responder'
includes law enforcement officers, firefighters,
emergency medical technicians, and public safety
telecommunicators.
``(B) First responder organization.--The term
`first responder organization' includes national,
State, local, Tribal, and nonprofit firefighter, law
enforcement, emergency medical services, and public
safety telecommunicator organizations that are
recognized for their experience and expertise in fire
prevention and safety programs and activities,
including labor organizations, professional
associations, and peer support and behavioral health
organizations serving first responders.''.
(b) First Responder Organizations Collaboration Pilot Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental
Health and Substance Use, shall conduct a pilot program to
provide for collaboration between--
(A) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration;
(B) the United States Fire Administration; and
(C) first responder organizations.
(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the pilot program shall be to
ensure that outreach activities conducted under section 520E-
3(g) of the Public Health Service Act (as inserted by
subsection (a) of this section) are appropriately tailored to
increase awareness of the 9-8-8 national suicide hotline among
first responders.
(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on the results
of the pilot program conducted under this subsection.
(4) Definitions.--The definitions in section 520E-3(g) of
the Public Health Service Act (as inserted by subsection (a) of
this section) shall apply to this subsection.
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