Grants for follow-up services to individuals receiving suicide prevention and crisis intervention services

Title V of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 520E–4 (42 U.S.C. 290bb–36d) the following: 520E–5. Follow-up services to individuals receiving suicide prevention and crisis intervention services (a) In general The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, shall award grants to eligible crisis centers to provide follow-up services to individuals receiving suicide prevention and crisis intervention services. (b) Eligibility To be eligible to seek a grant under this section, a crisis center shall be a member of the network of crisis centers coordinated under section 520E–3(b)(1). (c) Selection The Secretary shall select recipients of grants under this section based on the relative needs, including capacity and service gaps, of the eligible crisis centers applying for such grants. (d) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to recipients of grants under this section regarding best practices for the implementation of services through such grants. (e) Use of funds (1) In general A crisis center receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant to provide follow-up services to individuals who directly contact the 9–8–8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (including by call, text, or chat) and who are identified by the crisis center as being at risk of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. (2) Follow-up services Follow-up services referred to in paragraph (1)— (A) may include— (i) check-ins to assess well-being and level of risk; (ii) outreach to ensure engagement in services and supports, in coordination with mobile crisis service providers if involved; (iii) collaboration with family, caregivers, and natural social supports; and (iv) referrals based on the needed level of care; and (B) shall be provided only to individuals described in paragraph (1), consistent with subsection (f). (f) Informed consent and privacy protections (1) In general A crisis center receiving a grant under this section may provide follow-up services to an individual only after obtaining the informed consent of such individual. (2) Elements of consent In obtaining informed consent under paragraph (1), the crisis center shall clearly and conspicuously disclose— (A) the nature, scope, and purpose of follow-up services; (B) the types of communications that may be used; (C) the duration and frequency of such follow-up; and (D) the individual’s right to decline or withdraw consent at any time without affecting access to crisis services. (3) Limitation Follow-up services under this section may not include the sharing of personally identifiable information with third parties without the express, written, and revocable consent of the individual, except as otherwise required by Federal or State law. (4) No unintended interventions A crisis center shall ensure that follow-up services are conducted in a manner that does not result in involuntary or coercive interventions absent imminent risk. (5) Guidance Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall develop and disseminate model national standards for informed consent and privacy protections specific to follow-up services under this section, consistent with applicable Federal and State privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. (g) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, to remain available until expended..