Answering the Call Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8367 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 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