Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 3505

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T08:06:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025 aims to reduce suicides by jumping from infrastructure by funding the installation of proven safety measures, such as nets and barriers. It directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a grant program and requires a study on expanding these measures to non-bridge structures.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program Establishment: Within one year of enactment, the DOT Secretary must launch a competitive grant program to fund evidence-based suicide deterrents (measures supported by research showing they reduce suicides) on "covered locations," including bridges, buildings, parking garages, highway-rail grade crossings, and rail stations.
• Eligibility and Applications:
• Grants go to states (including territories and tribes), local governments, or other entities approved by the DOT.
• Applicants submit details as required by the DOT.
• Eligible Projects: Funding covers suicide prevention nets, barriers, or other approved deterrents.
• Priorities and Funding Limits:
• Priority for projects in areas with high suicide rates (based on numbers or per-person rates) or other factors set by the DOT.
• Federal funding covers up to 80% of project costs.
• Definitions:
• Evidence-based suicide deterrent: A measure backed by strong research or evaluations showing it likely prevents suicides, with ongoing monitoring.
• State: Includes all U.S. states, D.C., territories, possessions, and federally recognized tribes.
• Funding Authorization: $10 million per year from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
• Study Requirement: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must study non-bridge structures prone to suicide jumps, effective deterrents (beyond nets/barriers), their costs, and installation entities. A report is due to relevant congressional committees within one year of enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 119(d)(2)(I) of Title 23, United States Code (which governs funding for the National Highway System), by adding "installation of safety barriers and nets on bridges of the National Highway System." This expands eligible uses of federal highway funds to explicitly include suicide prevention measures on bridges.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: DOT will administer grants, increasing its role in public health initiatives tied to transportation infrastructure. GAO will conduct and report on a study, informing future policy. Congressional committees will receive data to guide oversight.
• Citizens: Could lower suicide rates by making high-risk sites safer, particularly benefiting at-risk individuals in high-suicide areas. May improve community safety around public infrastructure without direct costs to individuals.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. infrastructure and funding.

Main Stakeholders

• Federal Government: DOT (grant administration), GAO (study and reporting), and congressional committees (Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce in the House; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate).
• State and Local Entities: States, cities, tribes, and other governments eligible for grants to install deterrents.
• Other Groups: Infrastructure owners/operators (e.g., rail companies, building managers) and mental health advocates benefiting from reduced suicides.
• At-Risk Populations: Individuals prone to suicide by jumping, and broader communities near covered locations.

Notable Implications

• Legal: Expands federal highway funding to mental health prevention, potentially setting a precedent for blending transportation and public health laws without raising constitutional concerns (e.g., no challenges to federal spending authority under the Commerce Clause).
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and fund infrastructure; no apparent free speech, privacy, or due process issues.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from 12 representatives across parties) signals broad support for suicide prevention. The bill's focus on evidence-based measures promotes data-driven policy, but funding levels ($10 million annually) are modest compared to overall DOT budgets, limiting scope without future appropriations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

Cosponsors (45)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-05-20: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-20 — PDF (6 pages)