Child Suicide Prevention Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4210
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-13T16:17:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Child Suicide Prevention Act (S. 4210)
Purpose
The legislation aims to reduce suicide rates among individuals under 26 years old ("covered individuals") by funding evidence-based training programs in health care settings, integrating suicide prevention into health professional education, and creating public resources focused on screening, intervention, and lethal means safety (such as safe firearm storage).
Key Provisions
- Grant Program for Health Care Training (Sec. 2):
- Awards grants starting 1 year after enactment to states, health departments, professional organizations, hospitals, nonprofits, and higher education institutions.
- Funds training health care providers on: identifying at-risk youth via validated screening tools; counseling on safe firearm storage; risk factors (e.g., substance abuse, abuse history, mental health diagnoses, LGBTQ+ identity, racial/ethnic disparities, prior attempts); suicide prevention; post-attempt support; relevant laws; and referrals to resources.
- Allows up to 15% of funds for providing secure gun storage or safety devices at low/no cost to homes with covered individuals, with required counseling.
- Provides technical assistance; requires annual grantee reports (publicly posted) through FY 2030; HHS Secretary submits summary report to Congress by end of FY 2030.
- Authorizes $20 million for FY 2027–2030.
- Grant Program for Educational Curricula (Sec. 3):
- Awards grants starting 1 year after enactment to accredited medical/nursing schools, physician assistant/mental health programs, residencies, and other health education schools.
- Funds development/integration of curricula on lethal means safety (firearm storage/laws), patient communication, suicide prevention strategies (emphasizing youth), screening tools, and risk factors.
- Allows partnerships with health departments, associations, nonprofits, and higher education.
- Provides technical assistance; requires annual grantee reports (publicly posted) through FY 2030; HHS Secretary submits summary report to Congress by end of FY 2030.
- Authorizes $10 million for FY 2027–2030.
- Informational Website (Sec. 4):
- HHS must develop/maintain a website within 1 year, targeting youth under 26, families, health schools, and providers with best practices on suicide prevention and firearms in youth suicides.
- Updates based on grant reports; developed via consultations with stakeholders (e.g., nonprofits, health departments, VA, firearm dealers/instructors).
- Definitions (Sec. 5):
- Covered individual: Person under 26.
- Covered risk factors: Includes substance use, abuse, psychiatric diagnoses, LGBTQ+ status, high-risk racial/ethnic groups, prior attempts, family issues, bullying.
- Other terms: Standard definitions for institutions, states (includes tribes/territories), secure gun storage devices.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces entirely new grant programs, reporting requirements, and a public website under HHS authority.
- No amendments to existing statutes; creates standalone authorizations without mandating participation or altering gun laws.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS gains responsibilities for grant administration ($30M total authorized), technical assistance, reports to Congress, and website maintenance; increases workload but provides targeted funding.
- Citizens: Improves access to youth suicide prevention training/resources, potentially lowering rates via better screening, counseling, and safety tools; may distribute gun safety devices to at-risk homes.
- No direct international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Health Care Providers/Schools: Receive training funds and curricula integration.
- Youth Under 26 and Families: Primary beneficiaries through prevention efforts, especially those with risk factors.
- Eligible Entities: States, health departments, hospitals, nonprofits, professional groups, higher education.
- Communities: Racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ youth, firearm-owning households with youth.
- HHS and Congress: Oversee implementation and evaluation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Voluntary grants emphasize education/counseling over regulation; references federal/state firearm laws but does not change them; uses existing definitions (e.g., secure storage from 18 U.S.C. § 921).
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; supports public health without infringing rights (focuses on voluntary safety measures).
- Political: Addresses youth suicide crisis (firearms as a method) via bipartisan-supported prevention; requires broad consultations, including firearm dealers, to balance perspectives.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (7)
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-03-25: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Child Suicide Prevention Act — issued 2026-03-25