Task force urges a statewide suicide data law, campus training and a centralized LDH data hub under HCR 86

At a meeting of the task force assembled under House Concurrent Resolution 86, Rep. Edmond Jordan, chair of the panel, heard researchers present findings and a set of policy recommendations that include a proposed Louisiana Suicide Prevention Data Act to mandate confidential, de-identified reporting of suicide deaths and the creation of a centralized suicide data hub within the Louisiana Department of Health.

The recommendations, presented by Tyler Williams, summarize two years of work beginning with HCR 84 and a small campus survey. Williams said the expedited IRB-enabled survey produced 94 responses from roughly 400 students and identified financial stress as a key early trigger. "Nobody wants a negative stigma on them," Williams said when describing why some universities resist reporting; he urged statewide reporting so policymakers can identify and track at-risk groups.

The task force's report includes four central proposals: (1) passage of a Louisiana Suicide Prevention Data Act requiring confidential, de-identified reporting across institutions; (2) establishment of a centralized suicide data hub at LDH to consolidate deaths, attempts and ideation where feasible; (3) incentive-based data-collection programs and campus trainings for colleges and universities, including gatekeeper or QPR trainings and postvention protocols; and (4) modernization of the Louisiana Suicide Prevention Act of 2018 (House Bill 148) to align with the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Williams also proposed exploring an income tax credit to encourage institutional participation.

Task force members and presenters discussed operational and legal trade-offs. Hyacinth McKee, immediate past chair of the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, warned that occupational rules treat many providers as mandated reporters and that confidentiality language could conflict with existing duties; after discussion Williams and McKee agreed to revise the recommendation language to read "confidential unless otherwise required by law." McKee said statutes often "serve as a catalyst" for promulgating supporting rules and trainings.

Presenters highlighted practical campus measures already used in other states and pilot efforts in Louisiana: Dr. Robin Thomas described plans to roll out gatekeeper trainings with the Louisiana Center for Prevention Resources and noted work placing the 988 crisis number on student IDs has begun in other contexts (driver's license renewals and LA Wallet). Jasmine Harkless Thomas, suicide prevention specialist at OBH, said LCPR trained about 50 faculty and staff in QPR at a recent session and that LCPR's contract is being refocused to include suicide prevention in addition to substance-use prevention.

On implementation, the task force agreed to seek input from the Board of Regents and LDH leadership (including Commissioner Reed) before finalizing legislation; Senator Gerald Boudreau urged front-end engagement with higher-education leaders to avoid piling unfunded mandates on campuses. Representative Jordan asked staff to circulate examples of other states' approaches prior to the task force's report deadline.

The panel set a firm administrative deadline: the final report incorporating recommended changes, including the confidentiality wording, must be submitted by Feb. 1. Jordan said he and colleagues will craft legislation during the upcoming bill-filing period and that, if resistance blocks action, he will consider filing a resolution to extend the task force for another year. Minutes from the meeting were accepted by voice vote earlier in the session, and the chair adjourned the meeting by voice vote.

What happens next: staff will circulate model legislative language and comparative-state examples for review; the task force's final report is due Feb. 1 and members indicated they will pursue legislation this year if consensus is sufficient.