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House advances suicide prevention funding and coordination measures
Summary
Lawmakers unanimously approved first substitute HB 364 to expand suicide prevention positions and programs in state agencies and schools. Sponsors described the changes as modest funding for coordinators and evidence‑based prevention, and the bill passed the House 72‑0.
The Utah House unanimously approved a first substitute to HB 364 on March 5, 2015, expanding resources and coordination for suicide prevention in state agencies and schools.
Representative Eliason, speaking in favor of the bill, said the measure is the product of multiple years of work and provides funding for existing positions in the Department of Human Services and the State Office of Education that focus on suicide prevention. He noted Utah ranks among the highest states for suicide rates and said the bill supports prevention, intervention and postvention strategies, parent seminars and a program that supplies trigger locks or gun safes on a voluntary basis.
Supporters urged passage as a targeted set of interventions that have shown promise elsewhere. Representative Fosin and others emphasized the need for greater access to youth mental‑health services and commended the sponsor for coordinated work with the Department of Human Services, the State Office of Education and nonprofit partners including NAMI Utah.
Summation was waived and the measure passed by voice vote with a recorded count of 72 yes and 0 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
