ENROLLED
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 15
BY REPRESENTATIVE HENRY BURNS AND SENATORS ALLAIN, BUFFINGTON,
CLAITOR, GUILLORY, HEITMEIER, MILLS, AND THOMPSON
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To authorize and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the most effective
means by which to reduce the rate of suicide in Louisiana and to report its findings
to the legislative committees on health and welfare.
WHEREAS, a suicide is a tragic event which brings profound sorrow and a sense of
great loss to the loved ones of the person whose life was ended too soon; and
WHEREAS, while suicide occurs among persons of all ages, ethnic backgrounds,
and income levels, it is a particular problem among youth in Louisiana, with suicide ranking
as the third-leading cause of death for young people in this state; and
WHEREAS, suicides are sometimes preceded by warning signs exhibited through
a person's behavior, the detection of which can lead to prevention of a suicide; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana finds that identifying and putting into
practice more effective means of suicide prevention is an important public health priority for
this state; and
WHEREAS, due to the abundance of specialized expertise among staff in its office
of behavioral health, the Department of Health and Hospitals is uniquely qualified to lead
a study effort which can inform policymakers on ways in which this state may mitigate the
tragic problem of suicide.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
authorize and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to study the most effective
means by which to reduce the rate of suicide in Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study, the department may
engage, collaborate with, and obtain information and perspective from stakeholder groups
with an interest in suicide prevention. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 15
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall provide the findings of this
study in the form of a report to the House Committee on Health and Welfare and the Senate
Committee on Health and Welfare on or before February 1, 2014.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution and its resulting study effort be
dedicated to the memory of the late Matt Bison of Haughton, Louisiana, and to all families
of this state who struggle each day to cope with a loved one's suicide.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Matt Bison and to the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE