As Maryland continues to confront rising behavioral health challenges, state lawmakers have advanced a measure to support a more coordinated approach to suicide prevention at the local level.
During the 2026 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed HB 1012, sponsored by Delegate Kris Fair and supported by MACo, which authorizes counties and municipalities to establish multidisciplinary and multiagency suicide fatality review teams.
Suicide remains a significant public health concern across Maryland communities. Counties are often on the front lines of behavioral health services, crisis response, and emergency medical services. HB 1012 enables local jurisdictions to bring together key partners in a structured and collaborative setting to better understand the circumstances surrounding suicide deaths and identify opportunities for prevention.
Under the bill, a county or municipality may establish a local suicide fatality review team, and two or more counties may form a single multicounty team through a memorandum of understanding. This flexibility is especially important for smaller or rural jurisdictions that may benefit from shared expertise and resources.
The purpose of these teams is to prevent suicide deaths by reviewing cases occurring within the county, identifying systemic, service, and policy factors associated with suicide risk, promoting coordination among relevant entities, and developing actionable recommendations. The bill outlines a comprehensive team structure that includes participation from local health officers, social services agencies, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, emergency medical services, hospitals, school leadership, and community representatives.
By convening these stakeholders, local teams can examine trends, identify gaps in systems of care or coordination, and submit recommendations to the State Suicide Fatality Review Committee or other appropriate entities. The bill also establishes clear parameters for team operations, including requirements for data use and confidentiality protections.
By strengthening coordination and supporting informed, community-based solutions, HB 1012 offers counties a valuable framework to improve behavioral health outcomes and reduce suicide deaths across Maryland.
