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HCS/HBs 462 & 463 - This act provides that any mental health professional, substance abuse counselor, or health care provider may in good faith render suicide prevention interventions at the scene of a threatened suicide and shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in rendering such interventions, other than in the event of gross negligence. This same immunity applies to any other person who has been trained to provide suicide prevention interventions. Mental health facilities or mental health programs may disclose information and records to parents, legal guardians, treatment professionals, law enforcement officers, and other individuals who could use such information to mitigate the likelihood of a suicide. This act establishes the Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee within the Department of Mental Health. The advisory committee shall, among other duties, provide oversight, technical support, and outcome prevention activities. In addition, the committee shall make information on prevention and mental health intervention models available to community groups implementing suicide prevention programs and review and recommend changes to existing or proposed statutes, rules, and policies to prevent suicides. The Department of Mental Health in consultation with the department of health and senior services shall seek funding from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to participate in the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) to obtain better information about violent deaths, including suicide. If such funding is not available by July 1, 2006, the departments shall develop a state-based reporting system based on the NVDRS. There is a six-year sunset provision for the advisory committee. ADRIANE CROUSE
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