_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING BIENNIAL SUICIDE REDUCTION PLANS TO INCLUDE INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES AND VETERANS; AMENDING SECTION 53-21-1102, MCA; and PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 53-21-1102, MCA, is amended to read:

"53-21-1102. Suicide reduction plan. (1) The department of public health and human services shall produce a biennial suicide reduction plan that must be submitted to the legislature as provided in 5-11-210.

(2) The plan must include:

(a) an assessment of both risk and protective factors impacting Montana's suicide rate;

(b) an assessment of both risk factors and protective factors impacting the suicide rates of active duty members of the uniformed services and veterans in Montana;

(b)(c) specific activities to reduce suicide, including activities directed at active duty members of the uniformed services and veterans;

(c)(d) concrete targets for suicide reduction among various demographic populations, including but not limited to American Indians, active duty members of the uniformed services and veterans, and youth;

(d)(e) measurable outcomes for all activities; and

(e)(f) information on all existing state suicide reduction activities for all state agencies, as well as any known local or tribal suicide reduction activities.

(3) Upon the development of a suicide reduction plan draft, the department shall initiate a public comment period of not less than 21 days during which members of mental health advocacy groups and other interested parties may submit comments on and suggestions for the plan. The department shall produce a final plan, which takes public comment into account, no later than 60 days after the close of the comment period. The plan must be published on the department's website and submitted to the appropriate interim committee of the legislature, the director of the department, and the governor."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.