SB 618 - This act requires the Director of the Department of Mental Health, in partnership with the Department of Health & Senior Services, to design a state suicide prevention plan. The Departments of Mental Health and Health and Senior Services shall work collaboratively with the Departments of Social Services, Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, and Corrections to develop the plan.

The state suicide prevention plan must:

1. Promote the use of employee assistance and workplace programs to support employees with depression, psychiatric illnesses, and substance abuse disorders;

2. Promote the use of student assistance and educational programs to support students with depression, psychiatric illnesses, and substance abuse disorders;

3. Provide training and technical assistance to local public health and community-based professionals on the best practices to prevent suicides;

4. Establish a toll-free suicide prevention hotline;

5. Coordinate with federal, state and local agencies in order to collect and analyze data on suicide and suicidal behaviors;

6. Annually issue a public report; and

7. Recommend any statutory changes and implementation and funding requirements of the plan.

The proposed state suicide prevention plan must be submitted to the General Assembly by December 31, 2004.

This act is similar to HB 59 (2003) and HB 269 (2003).
LORIE TOWE