Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4843
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T15:41:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 4843: Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act
Purpose
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to encourage colleges and universities to create plans addressing student mental health and suicide prevention. It directs federal agencies to create model plans and offer support without imposing new rules on schools.
Key Provisions
- Model Plans Development: The Secretary of Education, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, must create and share evidence-based model mental health and suicide prevention plans for colleges within one year of enactment. These models must align with existing federal suicide prevention programs.
- Regular Updates: The model plans must be reviewed and updated at least every five years.
- Technical Assistance: Federal agencies will provide help to colleges interested in adopting similar plans, taking into account state-level efforts and allowing collaboration with nonprofits, community groups, student organizations, and mental health experts.
- Reporting Requirements: The Secretary of Education must submit reports to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce—one year after the first model plan is created and after each update.
- Rule of Construction: The law explicitly states it does not create any new legal requirements or obligations for colleges and universities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill adds a new Section 826 to Part L of Title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and redesignates the existing Section 826 as Section 827. It introduces federal support for voluntary campus mental health planning where none existed in this part of the law before.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Education and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will take on new roles in developing models, providing assistance, and reporting to Congress, potentially increasing coordination between education and health agencies.
- On Citizens and Institutions: Colleges and universities gain access to free federal resources and guidance but face no mandatory compliance, which could help improve student support services on a voluntary basis.
- On International Relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Institutions of higher education (colleges and universities).
- Students at those institutions.
- The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Congressional oversight committees.
- Nonprofit organizations and experts in mental health and suicide prevention.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill includes a clear statement that it imposes no new legal duties on colleges, reducing potential challenges related to federal overreach. It focuses on encouragement and resource-sharing rather than requirements, which aligns with existing voluntary federal education support programs. No constitutional issues, such as mandates affecting states or individuals, are raised in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act — issued 2026-06-18 — PDF (4 pages)