[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5019-H5021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SUICIDE TRAINING AND AWARENESS NATIONALLY DELIVERED FOR UNIVERSAL 
                         PREVENTION ACT OF 2020

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7293) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best 
practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and 
condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and 
tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such 
Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness 
and prevention training policy, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7293

       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 ``Suicide Training and 
     Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act 
     of 2020'' or the ``STANDUP Act of 2020''.

     SEC. 2. STUDENT SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TRAINING.

       (a) In General.--Title V of the Public Health Service Act 
     is amended by inserting after section 520A of such Act (42 
     U.S.C. 290bb-32) the following:

     ``SEC. 520B. STUDENT SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION 
                   TRAINING POLICIES.

       ``(a) In General.--As a condition on receipt of funds under 
     section 520A, each State educational agency, local 
     educational agency, and Tribal educational agency that 
     receives such funds, directly or through a State or Indian 
     Tribe, for activities to be performed within secondary 
     schools, including the Project AWARE State Education Agency 
     Grant Program, shall--
       ``(1) establish and implement a school-based student 
     suicide awareness and prevention training policy;
       ``(2) consult with stakeholders (including principals, 
     teachers, parents, local Tribal officials, and other school 
     leaders) in the development of the policy under subsection 
     (a)(1); and
       ``(3) collect and report information in accordance with 
     subsection (c).
       ``(b) School-Based Student Suicide Awareness and Prevention 
     Training Policy.--A school-based student suicide awareness 
     and prevention training policy implemented pursuant to 
     subsection (a)--
       ``(1) shall be evidence-based;
       ``(2) shall be culturally and linguistically appropriate;
       ``(3) shall provide evidence-based training to students in 
     grades 6 through 12, in coordination with school-based mental 
     health service providers as defined in section 4102(6) of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, if 
     applicable, regarding--
       ``(A) suicide education and awareness, including warning 
     signs of self-harm or suicidal ideation;
       ``(B) methods that students can use to seek help for 
     themselves and others; and
       ``(C) student resources for suicide awareness and 
     prevention;
       ``(4) shall provide for retraining of such students every 
     school year;
       ``(5) may last for such period as the State educational 
     agency, local educational agency, or Tribal educational 
     agency involved determines to be appropriate;
       ``(6) may be implemented through any delivery method, 
     including in-person trainings, digital trainings, or train-
     the-trainer models; and
       ``(7) may include discussion of comorbidities or risk 
     factors for suicidal ideation or self-harm, including 
     substance misuse, sexual or physical abuse, mental illness, 
     or other evidence-based comorbidities and risk factors.
       ``(c) Collection of Information and Reporting.--Each State 
     educational agency, local educational agency, and Tribal 
     educational agency that receives funds under section 520A 
     shall, with respect to each school served by the agency, 
     collect and report to the Secretary the following 
     information:
       ``(1) The number of student trainings conducted.
       ``(2) The number of students trained, disaggregated by age 
     and grade level.
       ``(3) The number of help-seeking reports made by students 
     after implementation of such policy.
       ``(d) Evidence-Based Program Listing.--The Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services shall coordinate with the Secretary 
     of Education to make publicly available the policies 
     established by State educational agencies, local educational 
     agencies, and Tribal educational agencies pursuant to this 
     section and the training that is available to students and 
     teams pursuant to such policies, including identification of 
     whether such training is available to trainees at no cost.
       ``(e) Implementation Timeline.--A State educational agency, 
     local educational agency, or Tribal educational agency shall 
     establish and begin implementation of the policies required 
     by subsection (a)(1) not later than the beginning of the 
     third fiscal year following the date of enactment of this 
     section for which the agency receives funds under section 
     520A.
       ``(f) Definitions.--In this section and section 520B-1:
       ``(1) The term `evidence-based' has the meaning given to 
     such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965.
       ``(2) The term `local educational agency' has the meaning 
     given to such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965.
       ``(3) The term `State educational agency' has the meaning 
     given to such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965.
       ``(4) The term `Tribal educational agency' has the meaning 
     given to the term `tribal educational agency' in section 6132 
     of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

     ``SEC. 520B-1. BEST PRACTICES FOR STUDENT SUICIDE AWARENESS 
                   AND PREVENTION TRAINING.

       ``The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Bureau 
     of Indian Education, shall--
       ``(1) publish best practices for school-based student 
     suicide awareness and prevention training, pursuant to 
     section 520B, that are based on--
       ``(A) evidence-based practices; and
       ``(B) input from relevant Federal agencies, national 
     organizations, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, and 
     related stakeholders;
       ``(2) publish guidance, based on the best practices under 
     paragraph (1), to provide State educational agencies, local 
     educational agencies, and Tribal educational agencies with 
     information on student suicide awareness and prevention best 
     practices;
       ``(3) disseminate such best practices to State educational 
     agencies, local educational agencies, and Tribal educational 
     agencies; and
       ``(4) provide technical assistance to State educational 
     agencies, local educational agencies, and Tribal educational 
     agencies.''.

     SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this Act shall only apply with 
     respect to applications for assistance

[[Page H5020]]

     under section 520A of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 290bb-32) that are submitted after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 7293.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 7293, the Suicide Training and 
Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act of 2020, or 
the STANDUP Act.
  As we have heard, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the 
U.S. However, it is the second leading cause of death for young 
Americans age 10 to 14, which has tripled since 2007.
  Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is already exacerbating these 
trends. Sandy Hook Promise's 24/7 crisis center, which allows people to 
identify and help at-risk students, has seen a more than 10 percent 
increase in suicide tips thus far.
  During our hearing on this bill, Arriana Gross, a high school student 
from Covington, Georgia, testified that: ``In our school, a year 
doesn't go by without a student dying by suicide. I've even known of 
elementary kids who died by suicide. I am concerned that youth suicide 
has become so common that my school community and our Nation is stuck 
in a pattern of mourning and accepting these deaths as something that 
is normal, instead of seeing them as preventable and tragic.''
  Again, Mr. Speaker, those are the words of Arriana Gross, a high 
school student.
  Like Arriana, I am concerned.
  Despite data that suicide is on the rise, we can act now to help 
equip students and the communities around them to identify risk factors 
so they can play an active role in preventing suicide or self-harm.
  Now, this bill, H.R. 7293, would encourage schools to expand 
evidence-based suicide prevention training to students and make public 
best practices for such training as a condition of receiving funds 
under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
Project AWARE grant program.
  The STANDUP Act would also support technical assistance resources for 
schools and encourage the collection and reporting of data to track 
implementation of these policies and practices.
  Research, Mr. Speaker, shows that training students on suicide 
prevention makes an impact on student suicide rates and improves the 
students' willingness to seek help or to help a peer.
  Much of this training is already taking place across thousands of 
schools nationwide, but the STANDUP Act will help ensure that this good 
work is expanded to more schools across the country.
  So for these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I stand up in support of the 
STANDUP Act. This is good, bipartisan legislation. I thank the lead 
sponsors, Representatives Scott Peters, Gus Bilirakis, Ted Deutch, 
Brian Fitzpatrick, and their staffs for their work on this critical 
issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I also thank Mr. Walden and the committee staff for 
working with us on this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7293, the Suicide 
Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention, 
or STANDUP, Act of 2020. It was introduced by our Energy and Commerce 
Committee colleagues, Representative Peters, who I know we are going to 
hear from soon, and Representative Bilirakis, who we are also going to 
hear from.
  This legislation addresses a key measure in promoting suicide 
awareness and prevention training among students and young Americans.
  Sadly, for the last decade, suicide has been the second leading cause 
of death for Americans ages 10 to 24 and the 10th leading cause of 
overall deaths in the United States.
  Tragically, this epidemic has only worsened during the COVID-19 
epidemic.
  Suicide is preventable, and initiatives that empower students with 
knowledge of the warning signs and resources for prevention are 
critical in addressing these trends.
  We believe, through this legislation, Project AWARE grantees would be 
empowered to establish school-based suicide awareness and prevention 
training programs, which will improve student awareness of mental 
health issues while connecting at-risk individuals to needed health 
services.
  So as we approach the end of September, our nationally recognized 
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it is critical that we continue 
addressing our Nation's challenges in preventing youth suicide and 
promoting the mental health and wellness of all.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Peters).
  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and the 
chairman for his leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, last year, I visited Bernardo Heights Middle School in 
Rancho Bernardo to meet with students of the school's SAVE Promise Club 
and the Mental Health Awareness Club.
  The kids told me about their efforts to make their peers feel more 
accepted by creating a culture of kindness and by using their voices to 
end the stigma surrounding mental health. They explained their work 
with programs intended to promote inclusivity and to prevent violence 
by teaching children and adults to identify, intervene, and help those 
at risk of harming themselves or others.

  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the 
second leading cause of death by those 10 to 24 years old, with cases 
of suicide among Black and other minority youth rapidly rising.
  The good news is that adolescent suicide and violence can be 
prevented if others heed the warning signs.
  Seventy percent of those who die by suicide tell someone their plans 
or demonstrate warning signs ahead of time. Eighty percent of school 
shooters tell someone their plans ahead of time.
  That is why I teamed up with my friend from Florida, Mr. Gus 
Bilirakis, to introduce the bipartisan STANDUP Act.
  The Act requires States, schools, and Tribes to implement evidence-
based policies to prevent suicides in order to receive Project AWARE 
grants, which boost youth mental health awareness among schools and 
communities.
  These policies are key to preventing school violence by encouraging 
early prevention, teaching warning signs, and providing schools with 
crucial tools to help stop violence before it happens.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Sandy Hook Promise, who helped champion this 
bill, and for hosting my visit at Bernardo Heights Middle School. Along 
with them, over 50 student and mental health-focused organizations 
support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank all the Bernardo Heights Bobcats, who care so 
well for each other's mental health. We want to bring that same spirit, 
their same spirit, to every school in the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass the STANDUP Act to protect 
our students and enhance school safety.
  Go Bobcats.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member and 
the chairman for all of their good work and, of course, Congressman 
Peters. This is a great committee, and we get things done, that is for 
sure.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7293, the Suicide 
Training and

[[Page H5021]]

Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act, or the 
STAND-UP Act.
  There is no higher priority than keeping our children safe. I think 
everyone agrees with that. Since 2010, suicide has been the second-
leading cause of death for young Americans ages 10-24, unfortunately.
  From 2007 to 2015, the number of children and teens visiting 
emergency rooms for suicide-related injuries doubled. In 2017, 517 
Americans aged 10-14, and 6,252 aged 15-24, committed suicide. Sadly, 
some communities in my district are among those with the highest 
suicide rates in Florida.
  Research has shown that most of these young Americans tell someone 
that they are contemplating suicide or school violence, and 68 percent 
of averted violence was stopped because of a student reporting concerns 
about a threat, plot, or other concerning behavior involving a peer.
  The STAND-UP Act encourages States, Tribes, and schools to create 
policies for student suicide prevention training using SAMHSA-provided 
best practices, training, and technical assistance.
  By providing high-quality screening and prevention training to school 
staff and peers, threats can be identified before they materialize, and 
those who are at risk have an opportunity to get the mental health 
treatment they need and deserve.
  I have seen firsthand the power of this particular program through, 
again, nonprofits, like Sandy Hook Promise. They have been very 
instrumental in getting this bill done, with their SAVE Promise Club.
  My kids have gone to Palm Harbor University. I still have one there, 
and that is in my district. Mr. Speaker, when properly equipped, 
students can be empowered to prevent violence in their schools, and I 
have witnessed the great work that they do in that particular school.
  I appreciate the bipartisan work of my colleague, again, Congressman 
Peters, and I urge my colleagues to join us in passing this critical 
piece of legislation to reverse the troubling trend of youth suicide 
and violence.
  We have to get this through the Senate as well and to the President's 
desk, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers on my side of the 
aisle on this legislation. I urge its passage, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge passage of the bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7293, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________