Fostering TRUST Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9018
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-22: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T08:05:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to increase congressional oversight and transparency regarding suicides and attempted suicides involving veterans receiving care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or its community care providers. It establishes mandatory notification requirements to inform lawmakers about such incidents and related support resources.
Key Provisions
- The bill amends Section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, by adding a new subsection (l) titled "Congressional Notice Requirements."
- In cases of suicide or attempted suicide in a VA facility or a non-VA provider facility under section 1703, the VA Secretary must notify:
- The Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs.
- Senators and the House member representing the facility's district.
- Senators and the House member representing the veteran's district.
- Initial notice (within 7 days): Basic details on the incident and facility location.
- Follow-up notice (within 60 days, if available): Veteran-specific information including enrollment status, recent VA encounters, other insurance coverage (e.g., TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid), military service details, age, marital status, employment, housing, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disability rating, and confirmation of family support notifications.
- The Secretary must protect the privacy and dignity of the veteran and family when collecting and reporting data.
- Each notice must include VA-developed guidance to reduce sensationalism of suicide, highlight warning signs, promote resources like the Veterans Crisis Line and Vet Centers, and share best practices for lethal means safety.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This act introduces new mandatory congressional reporting obligations into the existing VA suicide prevention framework under section 1720F. It expands current practices by requiring timely, detailed disclosures that were not previously mandated by statute, including demographic and service-related data.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The VA must develop processes for rapid incident tracking, data collection, and privacy-compliant reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- On citizens: Veterans' families may receive earlier awareness of available support services; the public gains indirect insight into VA care quality through congressional access.
- On international relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans receiving VA or community care.
- Veterans' immediate family members.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs and its employees.
- Members of Congress and relevant committees.
- Community care providers under VA contracts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The requirements emphasize privacy protections to balance transparency with individual rights under existing laws. The bill strengthens legislative oversight of executive branch agencies without altering constitutional authorities. It may foster bipartisan focus on veteran mental health but could raise questions about the scope of personal data shared with Congress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-22: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-05-22: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Fostering Transparency, Understanding, and Support for Veterans Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-22 — PDF (5 pages)