US HB1969

Extends the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program through September 30, 2026, and authorizes $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2026 in addition to the existing $174,000,000 for fiscal years 2021-2025

Requires grant recipients to notify eligible veterans receiving suicide prevention services about their eligibility for VA emergent suicide care, and to notify the VA Secretary if veterans elect to receive such care

Veterans become automatically eligible for emergent suicide care under section 1720J if the VA does not provide services within 72 hours of a referral

Mandates use of the Columbia Protocol (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale) for suicide risk screening for grants made after enactment

Expands eligible grant entities to include health care providers and requires applicants to have continuously provided mental health services in the U.S. for two years prior to application