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House forms task force for statewide suicide-prevention plan
Summary
House Bill 252 passed unanimously as amended to create a legislative task force directing state agencies to coordinate and develop a statewide suicide-prevention plan; amendments added proactive language and a mandate to study the use of firearms in Utah suicides.
Representative Harper told the House that HB252 would create a legislative task force to coordinate across agencies and develop a statewide suicide-prevention plan, citing Utah’s high suicide rate and the need to align budgets and programs.
Representative Litvak offered an amendment to make the task force directive more proactive and to require the task force and departments to report on the incidence of firearm use in suicides; Litvak said testimony in committee indicated about 56 percent of suicides involved firearms. The sponsor accepted the amendment as friendly, and members debated but generally supported moving forward.
Representative McKee expressed support after noting prior ambivalence, and Representative Harper urged backing for the task force approach to ensure coherent policy and budget decisions.
The House adopted House Bill 252 as amended; the final vote was 62 yes, 0 no, with 13 absent, and the bill will be referred to the Senate.
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