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VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6454| House 
| Updated: 1/5/2026
Susie Lee

Susie Lee

Democratic Representative

Nevada

Cosponsors (7)
Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (Republican)Tony Gonzales (Republican)William R. Keating (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Tracey Mann (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program known as the Zero Suicide Initiative within 180 days of enactment. The primary goal of this program is to improve safety and suicide care for veterans, thereby significantly reducing their suicide rates by implementing the curriculum developed by the Zero Suicide Institute of the Education Development Center. The first year of the program will focus on development, including planning and site selection, with consultation from various entities such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, and experts in suicide assessment and treatment. The initiative requires selected staff leaders from each site to undergo extensive education and training, covering organizational self-study, data collection for quality improvement, and the adoption of a specific suicide care approach. The program will be carried out at five VA medical centers, with one specifically serving veterans in rural and remote areas. Site selection involves a rigorous process considering factors like staff interest, geographic variation, medical center size, regional veteran suicide rates, and demographic characteristics, with consultation from various mental health and VA offices. The Secretary is required to submit annual progress reports to Congress, detailing staff training, policy alignment with Institute standards for suicide care, and a comparison of suicide-related outcomes at program sites versus other VA medical centers. These outcomes include screening rates, lethal means counseling, referrals for assessment, safety planning, emergency department utilization, hospitalizations, suicide attempts, and deaths. The program is set to terminate five years after its establishment, though the Secretary has the authority to extend it for up to two additional years with congressional notification. Upon termination, a final report will be submitted to Congress, providing a detailed analysis of the program's effectiveness, outcomes, and recommendations regarding its continuation, expansion, or permanency.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-7541
VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6273
VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1639
VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023
Nov 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3139
Introduced in Senate
Dec 4, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 4, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 5, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-7541
    VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6273
    VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1639
    VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023


  • November 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3139
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 4, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 4, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • January 5, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Armed Forces and National Security

VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6454| House 
| Updated: 1/5/2026
This bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program known as the Zero Suicide Initiative within 180 days of enactment. The primary goal of this program is to improve safety and suicide care for veterans, thereby significantly reducing their suicide rates by implementing the curriculum developed by the Zero Suicide Institute of the Education Development Center. The first year of the program will focus on development, including planning and site selection, with consultation from various entities such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, and experts in suicide assessment and treatment. The initiative requires selected staff leaders from each site to undergo extensive education and training, covering organizational self-study, data collection for quality improvement, and the adoption of a specific suicide care approach. The program will be carried out at five VA medical centers, with one specifically serving veterans in rural and remote areas. Site selection involves a rigorous process considering factors like staff interest, geographic variation, medical center size, regional veteran suicide rates, and demographic characteristics, with consultation from various mental health and VA offices. The Secretary is required to submit annual progress reports to Congress, detailing staff training, policy alignment with Institute standards for suicide care, and a comparison of suicide-related outcomes at program sites versus other VA medical centers. These outcomes include screening rates, lethal means counseling, referrals for assessment, safety planning, emergency department utilization, hospitalizations, suicide attempts, and deaths. The program is set to terminate five years after its establishment, though the Secretary has the authority to extend it for up to two additional years with congressional notification. Upon termination, a final report will be submitted to Congress, providing a detailed analysis of the program's effectiveness, outcomes, and recommendations regarding its continuation, expansion, or permanency.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-7541
VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6273
VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1639
VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023
Nov 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3139
Introduced in Senate
Dec 4, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 4, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 5, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-7541
    VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6273
    VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1639
    VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023


  • November 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3139
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 4, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 4, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • January 5, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Susie Lee

Susie Lee

Democratic Representative

Nevada

Cosponsors (7)
Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (Republican)Tony Gonzales (Republican)William R. Keating (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Tracey Mann (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted