S. 5558 — Barriers to Suicide Act of 2026

This section establishes a competitive grant program, administered by the Secretary of Transportation, to fund installation of evidence-based suicide deterrents such as nets and barriers on bridges, buildings, parking garages, highway-rail grade crossings, and rail stations. The program authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, limits the federal share to 80 percent, and prioritizes projects in areas with high suicide rates.

This section authorizes the use of National Highway Performance Program funds for installation of safety barriers and nets on bridges of the National Highway System.

This section directs the Comptroller General to study structures other than bridges that attract high numbers of suicide-by-jumping attempts. The study must identify distinguishing characteristics of such structures, effective nets and barriers (manufactured and natural), other prevention methods, quantitative measures of effectiveness, installing entities, and costs. The Comptroller General must submit a report on the results to the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committees on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and Commerce, Science, and Transportation within one year.