Public Health Legal Preparedness Materials

The following is a list of federal and state legislation related to suicide and suicide prevention.  This is not a comprehensive list of all suicide specific legislation, but is presented as a sample.  For the most recent federal legislative action, readers should refer to http://thomas.loc.gov.  For the most recent state legislative action, readers should refer to the corresponding State Legislature's home page.

• Federal.  HB 4557  "Youth Suicide Early Intervention and Prevention Expansion Act of 2004."  A bill amending the Public Health Service Act to implement statewide youth suicide prevention and intervention programs.  Sponsor: Rep. B. Gordon, TN (Introduced 6/14/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/04/2004 4:00 PM)
   
• Federal.  H C0N RES 0337  "National Survivors of Suicide Day."  A bill establishing a day to promote awareness and educate people on suicide prevention and intervention strategies.  Sponsor: Rep. Sue W. Kelly, NY (Introduced 11/21/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/04/2004 4:00 PM)
   
• Federal.  H CON RES 292   A resolution urging Congress to adopt the recommendations provided by the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health encouraging the development of a national strategy for suicide prevention.  Sponsor: Rep. Grace Napolitano, CA (Introduced 10/2/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/04/2004 4:00 PM)
   
• Federal.  S 2634  "Garret Lee Smith Memorial Act."  An act amending the Public Health Service Act to provide grant funding to states to develop a youth suicide intervention.  Sponsor: Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, CT (Introduced 7/8/2004).  Related bill: HR 4799.
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/04/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Federal.  HR 3063    "Children's Mental Health Screening and Prevention Act of 2003."  A bill authorizing grants to provide screening tools to identify mental illness and suicidal tendencies in school-age youth at selected facilities.  Sponsor: Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, CT (Introduced 9/10/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Federal.  S 1159  A bill instructing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide programs and activities for the prevention and intervention of suicide among Latina adolescents.  Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Bingaman, NM (Introduced 5/23/2003)  Related Bill: HR 2258
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Federal. S 1809   A bill providing grants to eligible community-based organizations for substance abuse counseling, and other mental health services for women and children who have been victims of domestic or sexual violence.   Sponsor: Sen. John Edwards, NC (Introduced 10/31/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Federal.  S 2175   A bill authorizing federal grants to state and local governments and to non-profit organizations to help establish and expand early intervention and prevention strategies to reduce youth suicides through improved statewide screenings, assessments and counseling strategies.  Sponsor: Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, CT (Introduced 3/8/2004) Related Bill: HR 4557.
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Federal.  S 2215 Campus Care and Counseling Act.  An act amending the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase access to on-campus mental illness treatment services in order to address youth suicide among college students.  Sponsor: Sen. John F. Reed, RI (Introduced 3/12/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• California.  ACR 90  A resolution designating May 2003 as Asian and Pacific Islander Mental Health Awareness Month in order to promote awareness of suicide.  Sponsor: Asm. Wilma Chan (Chaptered 6/03/2003)
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• California.  AB 2569   An act establishing the Comprehensive Pupil Learning Support System to establish various educational programs with a focus on crisis prevention for pupils in elementary, middle and high school.  Sponsor: Asm. Leland Yee (Introduced 2/20/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• California.  SR18  A resolution encouraging public and private organizations to work to develop and implement a Strategy for Suicide Prevention, and to recognize every first full week in May as "Suicide Prevention Week."  Sponsor: Sen. Deborah Ortiz (Enrolled 4/28/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• California.  HR 30  A resolution encouraging the development and implementation of a strategy for suicide prevention.  Sponsor: Asm. Alan Lowenthal (Adopted 5/29/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Delaware.  HCR 26  A resolution recognizing May 2003 as Mental Health Awareness month. Sponsor: Rep. Pamela Maier (Engrossed 5/7/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 08/30/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Delaware.  SCR 35  A resolution recognizing May 2003 as Mental Health Awareness month.  Sponsor: Sen. Harris McDowell (Adopted 5/5/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Georgia.  HR563  An act recognizing mental illness and suicide in youth as a public health crises and encouraging the use of evidence based initiatives to screen children for mental disorders in order to prevent suicide.  Sponsor: Rep. Karla Drenner (Introduced 3/28/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Illinois.  HB4558  An amendment establishing the Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act requiring that pilot programs must include major public awareness campaigns, statewide prevention conferences, and provide training and programs for suicide prevention.  Sponsor: Rep. S.M. Pihos (Public Act 8/11/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Illinois.  HB 384  An act creating the Suicide Prevention and Treatment Act and the Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Strategy Council that requires the Department of Human Services establish pilot programs for suicide prevention.  Sponsor: Asm R. Lindner (Introduced 1/29/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Illinois.  HB 7027  A bill requiring the Department of Human Services to implement a statewide program for suicide prevention.  Sponsor: Rep. S.M. Pihos (Introduced 2/9/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/30/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Louisiana.  SB 792  A bill establishing a program of suicide prevention in public schools. Sponsor: Sen. P. R. Irons (Enrolled 6/25/2001).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• New Hampshire.  HB1397  A bill expanding the health education review committee to expand its duties to include specific consideration for youth suicide prevention proposals.  Sponsor: Rep. J. A. Dalrymple (Signed by Governor on 4/23/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• New Hampshire.  HB 240  An act establishing a committee to study and examine ways to reduce the incidence of suicide among youths.  Sponsor: Rep. C. P. Sweeney (Signed by Governor 6/17/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• New Jersey.  AB 210  An act establishing the New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council in the Department of Human Services, and requires that certain agencies and persons report youth suicide or attempted suicide.   Sponsor: Asm. M. T. Previte (Introduced 1/13/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 08/30/2004 3:00 PM).
   
• New Jersey.  AB 1098  A bill establishing the New Jersey Elderly Person Suicide Prevention Advisory Council in the Department of Human Services, and requires the advisory council make annual reports of the needs and services for elderly persons who are identified at being at risk of suicide.  Sponsor: Sen. R.W. Singer (Introduced 1/13/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• New Jersey. SB 1515   A bill establishing the New Jersey Suicide Prevention Advisory Council and requiring certain institutions report information on individuals who attempt suicide.   Sponsor: Sen. Peter Inverso (Introduced May 13, 2002, signed by Governor on 1/9/2004) Related identical bill: A 3035.
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Oklahoma.  HB 2314  An act creating the Youth Suicide Prevention Council and authorizing the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to contract for shelter for victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault.  Sponsor: Rep. A. Lindley (Signed by Governor 6/03/2004).
  (Web link)
  (Posted: 10/05/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Oklahoma.  SB 1627  A statute creating the Healthy and Fit Kids Act of 2004 requiring the establishment of a Safe and Healthy School Advisory Committee at each public school to study strategies to address youth injury and suicide prevention.  Sponsor: Sen. Bernest Cain (Signed by Governor 5/26/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Oregon.  ORS Chapter 441.750  A statute providing that a health care facility that treats a person 18 years age and under for attempted suicide provide that person with information and referral service.
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Oregon.  HB 2120  A act amending Oregon Revised Statute 431.385 to create a new provision that requires that Local public health plans include comprehensive plans that address public health issues such as prenatal care, immunizations, well-child checkups, tobacco use, nutrition, teen pregnancy, and suicide prevention.  Sponsor: Rep. Karen Minnis (Signed by Governor 7/8/2003)
  < (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Pennsylvania.  SR52  A resolution encouraging the recognition of youth mental illness and suicide as a public health crisis, encourages screening children for mental disorders to prevent suicide among youths.  Sponsor. Sen. J. Orie (Introduced 3/24/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Pennsylvania.  HR 200  An act encouraging that youths be screened for mental illness in order to identify mental disorders, and to prevent suicide among children.  Sponsor. Rep. L. Bebko-Jones (Introduced 4/15/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• South Carolina.  SB 584  A bill recognizing mental health as a major public health concern and declaring May 2003 as "Mental Health Month," to help raise public awareness.  Sponsor: Sen. J.V. Smith ( Introduced 4/14/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• South Dakota.  SCR 5  A resolution that recognizes suicide as a health problem and supports the formulation of a South Dakota plan for suicide prevention and intervention.  Sponsor: Sen. A. Ham (Enrolled 3/03/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Virginia.  SJ 312  A resolution providing that the Secretary of Health and Human Resources in cooperation with the Secretaries of Education and Public, develop plans for suicide prevention from youth to old age.  Sponsor: Sen. S. Martin (Introduced 1/8/2003).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• Virginia.   HJ 155  A resolution to study racial and ethnic disparities in mental health services by establishing a joint subcommittee.  Sponsor: Rep. Viola Baskerville (Introduced 1/14/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• West Virginia.  SCR 62  A bill requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance appoint a committee to study the silent epidemic of youth suicide in this state.  Sponsor: Sen. A. McKenzie (Introduced 2/24/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 10/12/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• West Virginia.  HCR 64  A resolution requesting an interim committee to study the epidemic of youth suicide in the state.  Sponsor: Rep. Robert Kiss (Introduced 3/2/2004).
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 09/01/2004 3:00 PM)
   

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