Rep. Underwood. U.S. House bill targets youth suicide prevention in health care settings

The new bill authored by U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood in the U.S. House aims to expand evidence-based suicide prevention practices for young people in health care settings, according to the U.S. Congress.

H.R.8070 was introduced on March 25, 2026 during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to establish or expand programs that implement evidence-based practices in healthcare settings aimed at reducing suicide rates among individuals under 26 years old. Eligible entities include states, local health departments, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Grant funds are designated for training healthcare providers in suicide risk assessment, lethal means safety, and support strategies following suicide attempts. Additionally, up to 15% of the funds can be used to provide secure gun storage devices. The Secretary will also develop an informational website to share best practices for suicide prevention. A total of $30 million is authorized for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 to support these initiatives.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Lauren Underwood (Democrat-IL-14th District) and co-sponsored by Rep. Kim Schrier (Democrat-IL-8th District).

Since the beginning of the current session, Rep. Underwood has introduced another 26 bills.

A related bill, S.4210, was also introduced in the Senate on March 25, 2026. Congressional records list it as a related bill to H.R.8070.

Congressional bills can originate in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, except for revenue-related measures, which must begin in the House. After introduction, bills are assigned to committees for review, hearings, amendments and debate before they can advance to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers approve identical versions, the legislation is sent to the president, who may sign it into law or veto it. Congress operates in two-year terms, with each term numbered sequentially and divided into two annual sessions. The legislative process and official bill records are maintained by the U.S. Congress and published through Congress.gov.

Lauren Underwood is a Representative from Illinois, elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Sixteenth and to the three succeeding Congresses starting January 3, 2019. She holds a B.S.N. from the University of Michigan, awarded in 2008, and an M.S.N./M.P.H. from Johns Hopkins University, obtained in 2009.