DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 148 Original 2018 Regular Session Falconer
Abstract: Provides for implementation of the "zero suicide initiative", a state suicide prevention
plan, and duties of the office of behavioral health of the La. Department of Health with
respect to suicide prevention.
General Provisions
Proposed law provides legislative findings concerning suicide prevention, noting especially the
problem of suicide among young people and military veterans, and provides the following
declaration:
The purpose of proposed law is to combat a dire public problem by creating and providing
for the zero suicide initiative, a systems approach and national best practice for addressing
suicide as a public health issue.
Proposed law provides that it shall be known and may be cited as the "Louisiana Suicide Prevention
Act".
Zero Suicide Initiative
Proposed law creates the zero suicide initiative to be administered by the office of behavioral health
of the La. Department of Health (LDH) in accordance with the provisions of proposed law.
Proposed law provides that the zero suicide initiative shall be based upon the model set forth in the
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention published in 2012 by the U.S. Surgeon General and further
developed by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
Proposed law stipulates that in administering the zero suicide initiative, the office of behavioral
health shall ensure that the initiative incorporates, at minimum, all of the following components as
set forth by the zero suicide model of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center:
(1)Leadership development.
(2)Healthcare provider training.
(3)Identification of suicide risk factors. (4)Patient engagement.
(5)Treatment.
(6)Health system transition.
(7)Health system quality improvement.
Proposed law requires the office of behavioral health to ensure that administrators of all healthcare
facilities licensed by LDH and that all healthcare professionals licensed by any La. board or
commission have ready access to informational resources and technical assistance necessary for
implementation of the zero suicide initiative.
Proposed law requires the office of behavioral health to examine and coordinate the use of existing
data to identify priority groups of patients, improve the quality of care for persons who are suicidal,
and provide a basis for measuring progress in the ongoing operation of the zero suicide initiative.
Proposed law expresses the intent that La. healthcare providers do the following:
(1)Work in collaboration to adopt and operate the zero suicide initiative as promulgated in
administrative rules by LDH.
(2)Work with advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, and any other entities with an interest
in suicide prevention to support the adoption by health systems in La. of the suicide
prevention plan provided for in proposed law.
(3)Make efforts to connect persons and groups who are at higher risk for suicide with services
provided under the suicide prevention plan established by proposed law .
State Suicide Prevention Plan
Proposed law requires the creation of the La. suicide prevention plan by the office of behavioral
health.
Proposed law provides that the goal and purpose of the La. suicide prevention plan is to reduce the
incidence of suicide through system-level implementation of the plan in criminal justice and health
systems statewide, including mental health and behavioral health systems.
Proposed law provides that the office of behavioral health shall collaborate with criminal justice and
health systems, including mental health and behavioral health systems, primary care providers,
physical and mental health clinics in educational institutions, colleges and universities, community
mental health centers, advocacy groups, emergency medical services professionals, public and
private insurers, hospital chaplains, and faith-based organizations to develop and implement all of
the following, which shall be included as elements within the state suicide prevention plan: (1)A plan to improve training on means by which to identify a person with trends, attributes,
and indicators of suicidal thoughts and behavior across criminal justice and health systems.
(2)A plan to improve training on the provisions of the federal Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act and regulations issued pursuant thereto; and on other applicable federal
and state laws and regulations concerning privacy of health information.
(3)Professional development resources and training opportunities regarding indicators of
suicidal thoughts and behavior, risk assessment, treatment, and management.
Proposed law encourages criminal justice and health systems, including mental and behavioral health
systems, primary care providers, and hospitals throughout the state to contribute to and implement
the state suicide prevention plan.
Proposed law requires the office of behavioral health to publish the state suicide prevention plan on
or before Dec. 31, 2020. Provides that at the time of publication of the plan, the office shall transmit
a summary of the plan in a report to the governor and to the legislature.
Proposed law expresses the intent of the legislature that the following systems and organizations
contribute to the development and implementation of the state suicide prevention plan:
(1)Community mental health centers.
(2)Behavioral health services providers.
(3)Hospitals.
(4)Emergency medical services professionals and responders.
(5)Regional health systems.
(6)Physical and mental health clinics in educational institutions.
(7)State and local criminal justice systems.
(8)Advocacy groups with an interest in suicide prevention.
(9)Faith-based organizations.
(10)Colleges and universities.
(Adds R.S. 28:801-813)