Fostering TRUST Act of 2026

VA reports veteran suicides to Congress

If enacted, the VA would have to send two notices after a veteran's suicide or attempted suicide. Notices would apply when the incident happens at a VA medical site or at a site where VA furnishes care. The VA would send a first notice within 7 days stating the occurrence and the facility name and location. The VA would send a second notice within 60 days with available veteran details. The 60-day notice would include enrollment status, the date and circumstances of the most recent VA or VA-funded care visit, and whether the veteran had other insurance such as TRICARE, Medicare, or Medicaid. It would also include service branch and service period, age, marital, employment, and housing status, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, disability rating, and confirmation that immediate family were notified of possible VA support. The VA would have to take steps to respect the veteran's and family's privacy and dignity when collecting and reporting these details. Each notice would include guidance to avoid sensationalism, list warning signs, give VA resources (including the Veterans Crisis Line and Vet Centers), and provide lethal-means safety information. Notices would go to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs committees and to the Senators and Members of Congress for the facility's district and the veteran's district.