H.R. 8486: Data Driven Suicide Prevention and Outreach Act of 2026

The Data Driven Suicide Prevention and Outreach Act of 2026 aims to address the issue of suicide among veterans by establishing a program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This program's primary goal is to award grants to eligible organizations that will develop predictive models using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify risk factors contributing to veteran suicides.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Establishment of a Grant Program: The bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to set up a program to award grants within a year of its enactment.
• Eligibility Criteria for Organizations: Eligible organizations include nonprofit entities, academic institutions, or private research organizations with expertise in:
  • Developing AI and machine learning solutions.
  • Analyzing healthcare data, respecting privacy regulations.
  • Creating predictive models for health-related applications.
  • Utilizing advanced statistical methods on large healthcare datasets.
  • Complying with data security and interoperability standards.
• Application Process: Organizations wishing to apply for a grant must submit an application with specific information as determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
• Selection Procedures: The Secretary is required to select at least two organizations for grant awards, considering:
  • The geographical distribution and demographics of the veteran population.
  • Proximity to VA facilities and collaboration with local partners.
  • Experience in large-scale health solutions.
• Funding Priorities: Grant evaluations will favor organizations located in regions with high veteran suicide rates, high calls to the Veterans Crisis Line, and long wait times for mental health services. Additionally, priority will be given to those with relevant experience in government health systems.
• Data Integration Requirement: Organizations must ensure that the predictive models can integrate various data categories, including veterans' military service records and clinical data.
• Ownership of Results: Organizations that receive grants retain ownership over the developed predictive models and related proprietary technologies.
• Program Duration: The authority to award these grants will end on September 30, 2029.

Definitions

The bill provides definitions for key terms used within the context of the legislation:

• Artificial Intelligence: Defined according to existing federal law.
• Veteran: As defined in U.S. law regarding veteran status.
• Veterans Crisis Line: A dedicated hotline for veterans in crisis.
• VISN: Refers to a Veteran Integrated Services Network.

Relevant Companies

• None found