S. 2826: 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025

This legislation, known as the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025, aims to enhance the support provided to LGBTQ+ youth who reach out for help through the 9–8–8 suicide prevention hotline. The bill proposes the following key measures:

1. Establishing Specialized Services

The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allocate adequate resources for the development and maintenance of specialized services that specifically cater to LGBTQ+ youth. These services would be a part of the existing 988 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline and are intended to help individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning.

2. Integration of Press 3 Option

One of the proposed features is the establishment of a "Press 3 option" or Integrated Voice Response (IVR) system, which would streamline the process for LGBTQ+ youth to access specialized support when they contact the suicide prevention hotline.

3. Funding Allocation

The bill ensures that a minimum of 9% of the funds appropriated for suicide prevention services in a given fiscal year will be reserved specifically for the operation of these specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth.

4. Emphasis on Training

Specialized personnel trained to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth will provide support within these services. This training is critical given that LGBTQ+ youth are significantly more likely to consider or attempt suicide compared to their peers.

5. Contextual Background

The legislation highlights troubling findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicating that a substantial percentage of high school students identifying as LGBTQ+ have contemplated suicide. The need for these specialized services is underscored by data showing that the existing LGBTQ+ youth support line has received millions of contacts since its inception.

6. Legislative Process

The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Baldwin and Murkowski and has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for further consideration.

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