Sec. 3. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program access to specialized services
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/bill/117/s/4871/is/section-3·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Section 520E–3 of the Public Health Service Act (290bb–36c) is amended— in subsection (b)— in paragraph (2)— by inserting after suicide prevention hotline the following: , under the universal telephone number designated under section 251(e)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934, ; and by striking ; and at the end and inserting a semicolon; in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and by adding at the end the following: supporting access by high-risk populations, including LGBTQ+ youth and other members of the LGBTQ+ community, American Indian and Alaska Natives, individuals who reside in rural counties, veterans, racial and ethnic minorities, and other high-risk populations, to specialized services through the program, in accordance with subsection
(c)and as determined by the Office of the Assistant Secretary. ; by redesignating subsection
(c)as subsection (d); and by inserting after subsection
(b)the following: Wherever possible, the Office of the Assistant Secretary shall, in determining which approaches to use to support access to specialized services under subsection (b)(4) to the populations described in such subsection, consult with organizations that have— experience working with such populations; or technological expertise in effective crisis response using such digital and technology approaches. Efforts to support access to specialized services under subsection (b)(4) may include— updates and development of training resources that can help crisis counselors better address the needs of high-risk populations; adapting the program network center membership processes to incorporate organizations providing specialized services for high-risk populations; designing and implementing transfer processes; providing additional technical assistance to centers participating in the program to ensure compliance with the training expectations in working with high-risk populations; and the use of digital and technology approaches to improve access for high risk populations. .