Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2630
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-03: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-19T09:07:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act (H.R. 2630) aims to update existing federal law to broaden scientific research efforts on preventing suicide, with a specific emphasis on factors affecting children and youth. It builds on the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act by directing the National Science Foundation (NSF) to include new areas of study related to childhood experiences that contribute to suicide risk.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is officially named the "Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act."
- Amendment to Existing Law: It modifies Section 3(a) of the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act (codified at 42 U.S.C. 1862v), which outlines NSF's research priorities on suicide prevention.
- Adds two new research focuses:
- Basic understanding of the role of adverse childhood experiences (traumatic events like abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction that can have long-term health effects).
- Basic understanding of the role of toxic stress in childhood (prolonged or intense stress from adverse experiences that can disrupt brain development and increase health risks).
- Makes technical adjustments: Removes "and" from paragraph (4), redesignates the former paragraph (5) as paragraph (7), and inserts the new paragraphs (5) and (6).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The original Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act (passed in 2020) required NSF to support interdisciplinary research on suicide, including topics like risk factors, prevention strategies, and technology applications. This bill expands the list of required research areas by explicitly including childhood-specific factors (adverse experiences and toxic stress), which were not previously highlighted.
- These additions integrate developmental psychology and trauma science into NSF's suicide prevention research framework, potentially shifting funding priorities toward pediatric mental health.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The NSF will likely need to allocate resources for new grants, studies, and collaborations focused on childhood suicide factors. This could involve partnerships with health agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), increasing coordination on youth mental health initiatives.
- On Citizens: Children, youth, and families may benefit from enhanced research leading to better prevention programs, early interventions, and awareness of trauma's role in suicide risk. It could indirectly support schools, pediatricians, and community services in addressing mental health more effectively.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though NSF-funded research could contribute to global knowledge-sharing on youth suicide prevention, potentially influencing international health policies or collaborations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Researchers and Academics: Scientists in fields like psychology, neuroscience, and public health who receive NSF grants for suicide-related studies.
- Youth and Families: Children and adolescents at risk of suicide, particularly those with histories of trauma, who stand to gain from improved prevention strategies.
- Mental Health Professionals: Therapists, counselors, and educators who may use new research findings to develop trauma-informed care.
- Government and Advocacy Groups: NSF and congressional committees (e.g., Science, Space, and Technology); organizations focused on child welfare and suicide prevention, such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill makes a targeted, non-controversial amendment to an existing statute, requiring no new appropriations (it directs existing NSF authorities). It aligns with federal support for public health research without imposing mandates on states or individuals.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it falls under Congress's enumerated powers to promote science and general welfare (Article I, Section 8), focusing on voluntary research rather than regulation.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan concern (introduced by representatives from different parties) over rising youth suicide rates, potentially advancing broader mental health agendas. It could encourage future legislation on funding or implementation, but remains narrowly focused on research expansion without partisan elements in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Begich, Nicholas [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-03: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (2 pages)