HB7027 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 19956 BDD 45700 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
HB7027

Introduced 02/09/04, by Sandra M. Pihos - Sidney H. Mathias - Patricia R. Bellock - Patricia Reid Lindner, Jim Sacia

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 1305/10-50 new

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services must implement a statewide program for suicide prevention. Sets forth the duties of the program. Requires the Department, no later than January 1, 2005, to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning the status of the program. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning suicide prevention.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Human Services Act is amended by adding Section 10-50 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1305/10-50 new)

Sec. 10-50. Suicide prevention program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department must establish and implement a statewide program for suicide prevention, the purpose of which is to:

(1) create public awareness for issues relating to suicide prevention;

(2) build community networks concerning suicide prevention; and

(3) carry out training programs for suicide prevention for law enforcement personnel, providers of health care, school employees, and other persons who have contact with individuals at risk of suicide.

(b) The Secretary must employ a coordinator of the program, who must possess a background in the area of suicide prevention. The Department shall establish further qualifications for this position by rule. The coordinator must, without limitation, oversee the program's performance of all of the following duties:

(1) Providing educational activities to the general public relating to suicide prevention.

(2) Providing training to persons who, as part of their usual routine, have fact-to-face contact with persons who may be at risk of suicide, including training to recognize persons at risk of suicide and providing information on how to refer those persons for treatment or service supports.

(3) Developing and carrying out, in each county, public awareness and media campaigns targeting groups of persons who are at risk of suicide.

(4) Enhancing crisis services relating to suicide prevention.

(5) Linking persons trained in the assessment of and intervention in suicide with schools, public community centers, nursing homes, and other facilities serving persons most at risk of suicide.

(6) Coordinating the establishment of local advisory groups in each county to support the efforts of the statewide program.

(7) Working with groups advocating suicide prevention, such as community coalitions, managers of existing crisis hotlines that are nationally accredited or certified, and mental health providers to address the barriers interfering with providing services to groups of persons who are at risk of suicide.

(8) Developing and maintaining an Internet or network site with links to appropriate resource documents, suicide hotlines that are nationally accredited or certified, licensed professional personnel, state and local mental health agencies, and appropriate national organizations.

(9) Reviewing current research on data collection for factors related to suicide and developing recommendations for improved systems of surveillance and uniform collection of data.

(10) Developing and submitting proposals for funding from federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations.

(c) No later than January 1, 2005, the Department must submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning the status of the program.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.