On February 24, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony to the Health Committee in support of HB 1012 – Public Health – Local Suicide Fatality Review Teams – Authorization.
This bill authorizes local governments to establish suicide fatality review teams to examine suicide deaths at the local level and develop recommendations aimed at prevention.
By bringing together health officers, behavioral health providers, social services, law enforcement, educators, hospitals, and community representatives, these local teams would examine suicide deaths, identify systemic gaps, and develop actionable recommendations to prevent future tragedies. With flexibility for multi-county collaboration, especially important for rural and smaller jurisdictions, HB 1012 offers a structured, evidence-informed path toward stronger coordination and more effective prevention efforts statewide.
Counties are often on the front lines of behavioral health services, crisis
response, and emergency medical services. HB 1012 empowers local jurisdictions to bring these partners together in a structured and collaborative manner to better understand the circumstances surrounding suicide deaths and identify opportunities for prevention.
HB 1012 was heard in the opposite chamber, the Finance Committee, on March 24. MACo submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
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