[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 123 (Monday, July 23, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H6592-H6595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018

  Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2345) to require the Federal Communications Commission to study 
the feasibility of designating a simple, easy-to-remember dialing code 
to be used for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis 
hotline system, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2345

       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 ``National Suicide Hotline 
     Improvement Act of 2018''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act--
       (1) the term ``Commission'' means the Federal 
     Communications Commission;
       (2) the term ``covered dialing code'' means a simple, easy-
     to-remember, 3-digit dialing code; and
       (3) the term ``N11 dialing code'' means an abbreviated 
     dialing code consisting of 3 digits, of which--
       (A) the first digit may be any digit other than ``1'' or 
     ``0''; and
       (B) each of the last 2 digits is ``1''.

     SEC. 3. STUDIES AND REPORTS.

       (a) Primary Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission, in coordination with the 
     Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall conduct a study 
     that--
       (A) examines the feasibility of designating an N11 dialing 
     code or other covered dialing code to be used for a national 
     suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system; 
     and
       (B) analyzes the effectiveness of the National Suicide 
     Prevention Lifeline as of the date on which the study is 
     initiated, including how well the lifeline is working to 
     address the needs of veterans.
       (2) Requirements.--
       (A) Commission.--In conducting the study under paragraph 
     (1), the Commission shall--
       (i) consider--

       (I) each of the N11 dialing codes, including the codes that 
     are used for other purposes; and
       (II) other covered dialing codes;

       (ii) consult with the North American Numbering Council; and
       (iii) review the information provided by the Assistant 
     Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subparagraphs (B) and 
     (C), respectively, of this paragraph.
       (B) SAMHSA study and report to assist commission.--To 
     assist the Commission in conducting the study under paragraph 
     (1), the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance 
     Use shall analyze and, not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, report to the Commission on--
       (i) the potential impact of the designation of an N11 
     dialing code, or other covered dialing code, for a suicide 
     prevention and mental health crisis hotline system on--

       (I) suicide prevention;
       (II) crisis services; and
       (III) other suicide prevention and mental health crisis 
     hotlines, including--

       (aa) the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; and
       (bb) the Veterans Crisis Line; and
       (ii) possible recommendations for improving the National 
     Suicide Prevention Lifeline generally, which may include--

       (I) increased public education and awareness; and
       (II) improved infrastructure and operations.

       (C) VA study and report to assist commission.--To assist 
     the Commission in conducting the study under paragraph (1), 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall study and, not later 
     than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, report 
     to the Commission on how well the National Suicide Prevention 
     Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line, as in effect on the 
     date on which the study is initiated, is working to address 
     the needs of veterans.
       (b) Primary Commission Report.--

[[Page H6593]]

       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commission, in coordination with 
     the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use 
     and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall submit a report 
     on the study conducted under subsection (a) that recommends 
     whether a particular N11 dialing code or other covered 
     dialing code should be used for a national suicide prevention 
     and mental health crisis hotline system to--
       (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
     of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 
     of the Senate;
       (C) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate;
       (D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (E) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) Additional contents.--If the report submitted by the 
     Commission under paragraph (1) recommends that a dialing code 
     should be used, the report shall also--
       (A) outline the logistics of designating such a dialing 
     code;
       (B) estimate the costs associated with designating such a 
     dialing code, including--
       (i) the costs incurred by service providers, including--

       (I) translation changes in the network; and
       (II) cell site analysis and reprogramming by wireless 
     carriers; and

       (ii) the costs incurred by States and localities;
       (C) provide recommendations for designating such a dialing 
     code;
       (D) provide a cost-benefit analysis comparing the 
     recommended dialing code with the National Suicide Prevention 
     Lifeline, as in effect on the date on which the report is 
     submitted; and
       (E) make other recommendations, as appropriate, for 
     improving the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline generally, 
     which may include--
       (i) increased public education and awareness; and
       (ii) improved infrastructure and operations.

     SEC. 4. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.

       No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this Act. This Act shall be carried out using 
     amounts otherwise authorized.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Lance) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2345, the National 
Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018. This critical legislation 
seeks to designate a new, easy-to-remember, three-digit dialing code 
for a national suicide prevention hotline.
  We all know by heart to dial 911 during an emergency, and we have 
faith and confidence that somebody who can help will be on the line. It 
shouldn't be any different for someone in a mental health crisis.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide 
is on the rise across the country. Sadly, more than half of those who 
die by suicide do not have a known mental health condition.
  We also want to make note of the number of servicemembers and 
veterans in need of prevention services. We will work with our minority 
on this study to review how these patriots can seek help, whether 
stateside or overseas.
  You never truly know what battles an individual is fighting, and that 
is why a national three-digit suicide hotline could help make the 
difference between life and death.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to advancing this potentially lifesaving 
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2345, the National Suicide 
Hotline Improvement Act.
  Suicide is now the tenth leading cause for death in adults aged 18 to 
64, and, for every suicide, there are 25 attempts. Earlier this year, 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that suicide rates 
increased by 28 percent between 1999 and 2016. Mr. Speaker, 49 States 
experienced an increase in suicide rates during that period.
  As my colleague said, we also know that the risk is significantly 
higher for veterans. Veteran men are at a 19 percent higher risk, and 
veteran women are at a 2\1/2\ times higher risk than nonveteran women.
  These statistics point to a problem that is all too real and, sadly, 
all too common. That fact was evident last month when, unfortunately, 
both Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, both very successful in their 
careers, took their own lives.
  It is heartbreaking when someone is suffering so much that they 
choose to end their own life. Unfortunately, I know it in my own 
family, when people are afraid to reach out.
  The National Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act before us 
today would make it easier for people wanting to connect with someone 
through that hotline. The bill would set up a process to give Americans 
an easy-to-remember, three-digit code, like 911, to call when they or 
their loved one are in crisis, rather than the current 10-digit number.
  The bill would also require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration to study the effectiveness of the National 
Suicide Prevention Lifeline, currently known as 1-800-273-TALK, and the 
Department of Veterans Affairs would be required to study the 
effectiveness of the Veterans Crisis Line.
  The Senate has passed a companion bill by unanimous consent. H.R. 
2345 is a bipartisan, commonsense bill, and I want to thank the 
authors, Congressman Chris Stewart of Utah and Congresswoman Eddie 
Bernice Johnson of Texas, for the very hard work and leadership they 
put into this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it today, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart), the sponsor of this legislation.
  Mr. STEWART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friends from New 
Jersey and Michigan for their help on this important bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin with a startling statistic. Every 
9 minutes, someone in the United States attempts suicide or is 
successful, and for every suicide-related death, there are 25 attempts. 
These are truly heartbreaking statistics. Sadly, they hit close to home 
in Utah, which ranks fifth for the highest suicide deaths in the U.S.
  One example is Madison Radtke, a charitable and loving young lady who 
unexpectedly took her own life. I have gotten to know Madison's family, 
and it has been an honor to do so. Madison is remembered for her 
kindness to others and for her ability to see the good in each person.
  Here is something that is startling and should be terrifying to those 
of us who are parents: Madison didn't show any sign of suicidal 
thoughts. To others around her, she seemed to be making the most of the 
prime of her life.
  This is a sad reminder that suicide can strike anywhere. These are 
our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends, our family members. I 
believe that we have the power and we have the responsibility to reach 
out and to help them. Yes, there are many tools available for people 
who are struggling with mental illness or thoughts of suicide, but, 
tragically, some of these resources are simply too difficult to find in 
a time of urgent need.

                              {time}  1415

  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline dialing number is cumbersome 
and is very hard to remember, and most people have never even heard of 
it. Additionally, in Utah and many other States, there are various 
other entities that provide service, but there is not one consolidated 
number for people to call.
  After the recent passing, as has been mentioned, of Kate Spade and 
Anthony Bourdain, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
jumped 25 percent. While the hotline number has increased access, I 
know we can do better, and that is the purpose of this bill. This is 
where Congress can help.
  I introduced the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act to 
streamline and to provide easy access to potentially lifesaving 
resources by designating a new and very simple national

[[Page H6594]]

three-digit dialing number, very similar to 911, for national suicide 
prevention and mental health crisis.
  The study will also examine the overall effectiveness of the current 
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line for 
individuals both here and abroad and their access to that. Ultimately, 
the report will recommend ways to improve the existing system.
  I recognize this legislation alone is not a panacea. It is not going 
to solve every problem. There is much more that we can do and we must 
do, and some of the solutions will require a multifaceted approach; but 
it is an important step and one that has the potential to avert 
tragedy, such as the loss of Madison, and to save many lives.
  For those of us who have seen firsthand and been impacted by the 
tragedy of suicide or attempted suicide, it is simply time for us to 
act.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the cosponsor of this legislation.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of H.R. 2345, the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act, and 
I want to thank Mr. Stewart and the committee leaders for the hard work 
in presenting this on the floor today.
  This bipartisan legislation asks the Federal Communications 
Commission and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration to study the designation of a three-digit dialing code 
similar to 911. Even 3-year-olds can remember 911. When a family is in 
crisis, an 800 number sometimes is difficult to remember.
  The suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system makes 
it all American because we are faced with these kinds of incidences 
many times every day. The bill also requires them to perform a cost-
and-benefit service analysis of using a three-digit dialing code for a 
national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system and 
examine the overall effectiveness of the current National Suicide 
Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line and recommend ways to 
improve the current system.
  Each year, 45,000 Americans take their own life, an average of 123 
completed suicides every day, and an additional 1 million-plus 
Americans attempt suicide each year. While there are many resources for 
individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, it can be difficult to 
find these resources during this extreme time of need.
  The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has increased 
access, but the dialing code can be cumbersome to remember, 1-800-273-
TALK. Just try to remember dialing that many digits.
  Unfortunately, in many States where there are numerous entities 
providing services, there is not always one consolidated number to 
call. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act is an 
important step to achieve that end. This legislation will build upon 
the success of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to increase 
access to lifesaving services while evaluating new and innovative ways 
to improve the current system. It is critical that we move quickly on 
this bill so that we can begin saving more lives each day.
  Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, this is important legislation. It is 
completely bipartisan in nature.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Bilirakis), a distinguished member of the House Energy and Commerce 
Committee.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Vice Chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, we have all heard the upsetting statistic of 21 veterans 
committing suicide each and every day. It is unacceptable. This is a 
crisis for our veterans, their families, the future of our current 
servicemembers, and our country.
  As vice chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have worked to 
make it a better and healthier life for our true American heroes. That 
is why I am proud to support H.R. 2345, the National Suicide Hotline 
Improvement Act.
  When a veteran is in crisis, they need immediate assistance from the 
Veterans Crisis Hotline. Unfortunately, the current suicide hotline 
number can be difficult to remember during a time of need and can add 
minutes to getting help or, even worse, discourage veterans from 
accessing this important service.
  H.R. 2345 would study the feasibility and need of a three-digit 
dialing code, similar to 911, for the suicide hotline. The bill also 
studies the effectiveness of the hotline for our Nation's veterans.
  This study is an important step in recognizing suicidal thoughts as 
an emergency, providing those in need the most reliable tools to get 
help, and continuing to improve a hotline that has already saved 
countless lives, including many veterans.
  For these reasons, I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 2345 and support its 
passage.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers. So I would 
like to say that perhaps, today, this House can act together and save a 
life, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2345.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that this bipartisan piece of 
legislation has reached the floor of the House. I hope and trust that 
it will be voted on in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion, and I 
commend the sponsors, a Republican and a Democrat, for working together 
on this needed legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2345, the 
``National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act,'' which provides resources 
to improve suicide hotlines in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, it is critical that we address the public heath crisis 
of suicide in the United States.
  Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States--each 
year, 44,965 Americans die by suicide, more than half by firearm.
  On average, 123 Americans commit suicide each day.
  The 2016 annual age-adjusted suicide rate in my state of Texas was 
12.57 per 100,000 individuals, which was similar to the national 
average for that year.
  However, there has been a steady increase in suicides in the decade 
since 2007, when the suicide rate was 10.48 per 100,000.
  Suicides in Texas have increased by 23 percent over the past 15 
years.
  The steady increase coincides with new data that names suicide as the 
second leading cause of death among people ages 10-34 in America.
  Even more alarming are rates of suicide among our veterans--those who 
have given the ultimate sacrifice and deserve protection tantamount to 
their service.
  According to a Veterans Affairs study released last year, risk for 
suicide was 22 percent higher among veterans when compared to U.S. non-
veteran adults.
  After adjusting for differences in age, risk for suicide was 19 
percent higher among male veterans when compared to U.S. non-veteran 
adult men.
  After adjusting for differences in age, risk for suicide was 2.5 
times higher among female veterans when compared to U.S. non-veteran 
adult women.
  But the victims of suicide are more than mere statistics.
  They are our parents, children, siblings, and loved ones.
  They are our co-workers, our peers, and our servicemen and women.
  They deserve more.
  There are many organizations and individuals working tirelessly to 
ensure all of our fellow citizens receive the aid they need.
  I commend the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of 161 
crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to 
anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
  There are five such centers in Texas, including one in my home city 
of Houston.
  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline reports that it experienced 
an increase of 100 percent in calls between 2014 and 2017, revealing 
just how prevalent suicide has become.
  The helpline answered more than 2 million calls in 2017, up from 
approximately one million calls in 2014. In 2015 and 2016, the helpline 
answered more than 1.5 million calls each year.
  Those on the front lines of the suicide prevention efforts deserve 
more help.
  H.R. 2345, the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act, would 
require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with 
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and 
consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs for suicide prevention 
efforts.
  The Act would lead to the examination of the feasibility of 
designating a three-digit dialing code for a national suicide 
prevention and mental health crisis hotline system.

[[Page H6595]]

  Further, the Act directs the FCC to study and report to Congress on 
the effectiveness of the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 
including how well it addresses the needs of veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, our citizens and our suicide prevention centers deserve 
decisive action against suicide.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 2345 to reduce the 
incidence of suicides in America.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2345, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________