STOP Suicide Act

Bill Number

H.R. 8124

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-05-20T08:08:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Stabilization to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R. 8124), also known as the STOP Suicide Act, aims to create a federal grant program to fund models of stabilization services—short-term clinical interventions that help people with serious suicidal thoughts by reducing immediate crisis, suicide risk, or impulsive behaviors. These services emphasize evidence-based care in the least restrictive settings possible, such as outpatient or virtual options.

Key Provisions

• Grant Awards: The Assistant Secretary for Health (in the Department of Health and Human Services) awards competitive grants to eligible entities to implement suicide-specific, evidence-based or evidence-informed stabilization services.
• Application Requirements: Applicants must submit a plan for continuing services after the grant ends (a "continuity plan").
• Allowed Uses of Funds:
• Core requirement: Provide stabilization services in the least restrictive appropriate setting.
• Optional: Support outpatient care, virtual care, technology innovations, or peer support.
• Grant Duration: Up to 5 years; non-renewable.
• Federal Responsibilities:
• Evaluate grant activities and share findings.
• Offer training and technical assistance to grantees.
• Eligible Entities (examples):
• Community-based providers (e.g., school-based health centers, community health centers, rural clinics, Federally qualified health centers, certified community behavioral health clinics, children's hospitals).
• Crisis centers.
• Public health agencies (e.g., state mental health agencies).
• U.S. territories, Indian tribes, or tribal organizations.
• Funding: Authorizes $30 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 (actual funding requires congressional appropriations).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new section (520O) to Title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb et seq.), which previously focused on mental health programs but did not include this specific grant program for suicide stabilization models.
• Introduces requirements for continuity planning and evaluations, which are new mandates for these types of grants.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Department of Health and Human Services to administer grants, conduct evaluations, and provide support; may improve data on effective suicide prevention.
• Citizens: Expands access to timely, community-based crisis care for those with suicidal thoughts, potentially reducing emergency room visits, hospitalizations, or suicides; prioritizes less restrictive options like virtual care.
• No direct international relations impact.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Individuals at risk: Primary beneficiaries through better crisis stabilization.
• Healthcare Providers: Community clinics, schools, crisis centers, and behavioral health organizations that can apply for grants.
• Underserved Groups: Rural areas, schools, colleges, tribes, territories, and children via targeted eligible entities.
• Federal and State Agencies: HHS for administration; state health/mental health agencies as potential grantees or partners.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Promotes "least restrictive" care, aligning with mental health laws favoring patient rights and alternatives to involuntary commitment; requires evidence-based practices to ensure accountability.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; supports public health under Congress's spending power.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Reps. Raskin and Bacon); focuses on suicide prevention amid rising mental health needs, but funding is only authorized—not guaranteed—leaving room for future budget debates.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2026-03-26: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Stabilization to Prevent Suicide Act — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (5 pages)