Report Title:

Youth Suicide Prevention

Description:

Establishes youth suicide prevention program for the State.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

292

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Relating to Youth suicide prevention.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that more children and young adults die from suicide each year than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, and chronic lung disease combined. Nationally, over four thousand youths take their lives annually, making suicide the third largest cause of death between the ages of ten and twenty-four.

In Hawaii, suicide is the second leading cause of death among fifteen to twenty-four years old. Rates of youth suicide have been on the rise in the last decade among both females and males and among all ethnic groups. In Hawaii, males are more likely than females to commit suicide, and native Hawaiian youths are the most likely ethnic group to attempt or commit suicide.

Research demonstrates that youth suicide is linked to underlying mental health problems that can be addressed through early intervention and prevention strategies. The legislature notes that such intervention and prevention strategies have been listed as a national health priority to deal with rising rates of youth suicide. Furthermore, Congress passed federal legislation in 2004, and appropriated $82,000,000 over the next three years, for statewide programs designed to help prevent youth suicide. Many states have already developed comprehensive statewide youth suicide and early intervention and prevention strategies that seek to provide effective early intervention and prevention services.

Suicide is a serious public health tragedy affecting children and young adults in Hawaii. The legislature declares that preserving and protecting the lives of children and young adults is a priority for the State. The legislature further finds and declares that preventing youth suicide is necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the State. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a youth suicide prevention program for Hawaii.

SECTION 2. Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§321- Youth suicide prevention program. (a) The department of health shall establish and operate a statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention program that focuses upon, but is not necessarily limited to persons between the ages of ten and twenty-four, to accomplish the following:

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

(2) Build community networks concerning youth suicide prevention; and

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

(b) The department of health shall provide appropriate research, training, and technical assistance to carry out the purposes of this Act, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Providing oversight on youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies;

(2) Identifying and understanding causes and associated risk factors of youth suicide;

(3) Analyzing the efficacy of new and existing youth suicide early intervention techniques and technologies;

(4) Examining trends in youth suicidal behaviors and nonfatal suicidal attempts;

(5) Evaluating and disseminating outcomes and best practices of mental and behavioral health services at institutions of higher education; and

(6) Other activities deemed appropriate by the director of health.

(c) Research, training, and technical assistance resources shall be provided, but shall not be limited, to the following entities:

(1) Political subdivisions of the State;

(2) Native Hawaiian health and community organizations;

(3) Institutions of higher education;

(4) The department of education;

(5) Public organizations;

(6) Private nonprofit organizations; and

(7) Health and social service organizations.

(d) The department of health may develop and submit proposals for funding from federal agencies and private organizations to support the purposes of this Act.

(e) The department of health may adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 to implement the purposes of this part."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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