H.R. 5482 — Prevent Youth Suicide Act

This section directs the Secretary of Education, not later than 210 days after enactment, to issue a rule requiring educational agencies or institutions serving students in grades 6 through 12, as a condition of receiving funds under applicable programs, to implement the following: (1) evidence-based school suicide prevention protocols, including biennial staff training on identifying and reporting student suicide risk factors, a referral system to mental health resources, and anti-stigma awareness campaigns; (2) a suicide postvention plan with guidelines for communication, memorialization, grief counseling, and collaboration with mental health professionals and community organizations; and (3) trauma-informed policies with biennial trauma-sensitive staff training. The section further requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance for compliance, conduct periodic assessments and audits, solicit feedback from schools on the rule's effectiveness, and revise the rule as needed.

This section establishes definitions for terms used in the Act, including (1) "applicable program," as defined in section 400 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1221); (2) "educational agency or institution," meaning an entity (as defined in section 444(a)(3) of that Act) serving students in grades 6 through 12, as determined under state law; (3) "parent," as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801); and (4) "Secretary," meaning the Secretary of Education. The section further defines (5) "suicide postvention" as activities and support after a suicide to help individuals cope, minimize negative impacts, and prevent contagion; (6) "suicide prevention" as strategies to identify at-risk individuals, provide interventions, and foster supportive environments to reduce suicidal behavior; and (7) "trauma-informed care" as an approach recognizing trauma's role and symptoms, supporting recovery, and avoiding retraumatization.