New Jersey Assembly Bill A1313

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

"Madison Holleran Proper Reporting Act"; requires institutions of higher education to post information on student suicides and attempted suicides on website.

Impact

The enactment of A1313 will significantly impact how colleges handle and report information related to student mental health crises. By fostering transparency, the bill intends to raise awareness about the prevalence of suicide and attempted suicide among students, particularly young adults aged 19-24, who are at a high risk. As noted, suicide is a leading cause of death among this demographic in New Jersey, further emphasizing the urgency of the bill's objectives.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1313, known as the 'Madison Holleran Proper Reporting Act', mandates that institutions of higher education in New Jersey publicly report the number of student suicides and attempted suicides annually. Named after Madison Holleran, a student who tragically took her own life while studying at the University of Pennsylvania, this legislation aims to confront the sobering issue of youth suicide. It requires colleges to provide annual updates on such incidents, shining a light on the mental health challenges faced by students.

Contention

While the bill's supporters champion the heightened awareness and potential for improved mental health resources that could result from public reporting, there are concerns regarding privacy and the implications of making such sensitive data public. Critics may argue that mandatory reporting could discourage students from seeking help if they know their institution's statistics are being scrutinized or if it may lead to reputational harm for the schools involved. Balancing accountability with sensitivity to the mental health needs of students will remain a key challenge as the bill moves forward.