Hope Heals Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Biggs (SC)
Introduced
Summary
Improve coordination on mental health crisis prevention and awareness. This bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a 180-day assessment on how Executive departments identify people in mental health crisis, share prevention and referral practices, and whether they could distribute validated screening tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire-3.
Show full summary
- Individuals and families: Could get clearer screening and referral paths if departments adopt the assessment's recommendations.
- Executive departments: Agencies including the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Education would coordinate on the review and, to the extent practicable, implement recommended changes.
- Screening tools and awareness: The assessment would examine the feasibility of distributing validated tools such as the PHQ-3 and commonly used symptom indicators to increase crisis awareness.
- Timeline and reporting: The Secretary would complete the assessment within 180 days after enactment and submit findings and recommendations to relevant congressional committees within 180 days after the assessment is finished.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Study to improve federal mental health help
This bill would require HHS to complete an assessment within 180 days after enactment. The study would look at how federal agencies identify and refer people in mental health crises. It would study sharing best practices and referral steps for suicide prevention and crisis support. It would also study whether agencies could give a short screening tool such as the PHQ-3 and symptom checklists. HHS would coordinate with agency heads like VA, Defense, and Education and may consult outside experts. HHS would send a report with findings and recommendations to key congressional committees within 180 days after finishing the study. Each Executive department would, to the extent practicable, implement recommendations in the report.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Biggs (SC)
SC • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
SC • R
Sponsored 1/12/2026
Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]
AZ • R
Sponsored 1/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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