Bill · S. 5558· Senate(119-S-5558)
Barriers to Suicide Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/24/2026
- Last activity
- 9/24/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5004)
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is called the Barriers to Suicide Act of 2026. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to set up a grant program for installing suicide deterrents like nets and barriers on certain infrastructure. These covered locations include bridges, buildings, parking garages, highway-rail grade crossings, and rail stations. The Secretary will give priority to projects in areas with high rates of suicide. The legislation also updates the national highway performance program to include safety barriers and nets on bridges. Finally, it requires a study by the Comptroller General on the effectiveness of nets and barriers for structures other than bridges.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+6
The bill establishes a grant program for installing suicide deterrents on infrastructure to prevent suicide attempts.
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?+6
The bill updates the national highway performance program to include safety barriers and nets on bridges.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+4
The legislation provides targeted safety infrastructure and prevention resources that improve public health access.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: This section establishes a grant program to help install evidence-based suicide deterrents, such as nets and barriers, on bridges, buildings, parking garages, highway-rail grade crossings, and rail stations. This is positive because it directly supports efforts to prevent suicides in common public locations.
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Section 2(f): This provision requires the Secretary to give priority to projects located in areas with a high rate or number of suicides. This is positive because it ensures that federal money goes first to the places where it is needed most.
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Section 3: This updates the national highway performance program to include the installation of safety barriers and nets on bridges of the National Highway System. This is positive because it helps protect people by adding suicide prevention measures to major bridges.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific provisions outlining negative consequences, burdens, or negative impacts for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+6Improves Healthcare Access+4Increases Research Funding+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Urban Residents+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- 9/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5004)
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina