May 4, 2026
Mrs. Houchin (for herself, Mrs. Trahan, Mr. Valadao, and Mr. Pocan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance programs for youth suicide prevention and intervention, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Campus Lifeline Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Student-led campus interventions
Section 520E–2(b)(10) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–36b(b)(10)) is amended to read as follows:
(10)
Supporting student groups on campus, including athletic teams and mental health clubs, that engage in activities to—
(A)
educate students, including activities to reduce stigma surrounding mental and behavioral health disorders, and promote mental health; and
(B)
recognize and intervene effectively and appropriately with their peers experiencing warning signs of mental health and substance use disorders.
Sec. 3. 988 youth awareness strategies
Section 520E–3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–36c) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b)(4), by striking including by
and all that follows through the semicolon at the end and inserting
including by—
(A)
conducting an awareness initiative and ongoing outreach to the public; and
(B)
coordinating with and encouraging States and institutions of higher education to list the 988 hotline on newly issued identification cards.; and
(2)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), by striking and maintaining the suicide prevention hotline under subsection (b)(2),
and inserting , maintaining the suicide prevention hotline under subsection (b)(2), and improving awareness of the program under subsection (b)(4),
;
(B)
in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting , including awareness activities under subsection (b)(4),
after the program
; and
(C)
in paragraph (3)—
(i)
by striking In developing
and inserting the following:
(A) Developing requirements for crisis centers and backup centers
In developing; and
(ii)
by adding at the end the following:
(B) Developing a plan for awareness activities
In developing a plan for awareness activities under subsection (b)(4), the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Transportation, and the heads of other relevant departments and agencies.