Barriers to Suicide Act of 2023

Barriers to Suicide Act of 2023

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a program to facilitate the installation of evidence-based suicide deterrents on bridges, including suicide prevention nets and barriers.

DOT may award competitive grants to states and local governments to carry out the program.

The bill also specifies that the installation of safety barriers and nets on bridges of the National Highway System are eligible highway safety improvement projects under the National Highway Performance Program of the Federal Highway Administration.

The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study to identify the types of structures, other than bridges, that attract a high number of individuals attempting suicide-by-jumping and the types of nets or barriers that are effective at reducing such suicides.