Category
Suicide Prevention Policy
Category
Suicide Prevention Policy
State law encourages districts to adopt suicide prevention policies.
Maryland Code 7-501. Legislative findings and declaration
The General Assembly finds and declares that:
- (1) A statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program is essential to address the continuing problem of youth suicide throughout the State;
- (2) The youth suicide problem often exists in combination with other problems, including drug abuse and alcohol use;
- (3) A suicide prevention program for young people must emphasize a partnership between educational programs at the State and local levels and community suicide prevention and crisis center agencies;
- (4) It is of vital importance that a statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program be established with shared responsibility at both the State and county levels, and that this cooperation shall be a major tool in efforts to achieve the successful prevention of youth suicide; and
- (5) County suicide prevention and crisis center agencies along with local education agencies are best suited for developing and implementing programs for statewide youth suicide prevention.
Maryland Code 7-502. Definitions
(a) In general. -- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) Program. -- "Program" means a Youth Suicide Prevention School Program established under this subtitle. (c) Youth service bureau. -- "Youth service bureau" means a program defined under § 9-233 of the Human Services Article.
Maryland Code 7-503. Establishment
(a) Authority to establish. --
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(1) There is a statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program administered by the Department in cooperation with:
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(i) Participating local education agencies;
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(ii) Local community agencies involved in suicide prevention;
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(iii) Local community mental health programs; and
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(iv) Youth service bureaus.
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(2) On or before October 1, 1986, the Department may establish a demonstration Youth Suicide Prevention School Program in cooperation with local education agencies in the following political subdivisions:
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(i) Anne Arundel County;
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(ii) Baltimore City;
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(iii) Baltimore County;
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(iv) Harford County;
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(v) Howard County; and
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(vi) Montgomery County.
(b) Local programs. -- Any political subdivision in the State may apply for assistance or grant funds under this subtitle to establish a local Youth Suicide Prevention School Program.
Maryland Code 7-504. Eligibility guidelines; authorized programs
(a) Regulations for eligibility guidelines. --
- (1) The Department shall adopt regulations that set eligibility guidelines for State funding of Youth Suicide Prevention School Programs under this subtitle.
- (2) The regulations shall:
- (i) Establish procedures for developing local programs, in cooperation with local education agencies, youth service bureaus, and community mental health centers; and
- (ii) Establish Standard and policies for programs to offer:
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- Individual, family, and group counseling related to youth suicide prevention;
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- Referral, crisis intervention, and information for students, parents, and school personnel; and
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- Training for school personnel, and others responsible for counseling or supervising student activities.
Maryland Code 7-505. Duties of Department; funding
(a) Duties of Department. -- The Department shall:
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(1) As to each program receiving State funding:
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(i) Monitor its operations; and
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(ii) Evaluate annually its effectiveness; and
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(2) Review and either approve or disapprove the application for State funding of a proposal program.
(b) Shared funding. --
- (1) The funding of an eligible program shall be a shared responsibility of this State and local education agencies.
- (2) Each eligible program shall submit to the Department a proposed annual budget for review and approval, at the times that the Department specifies.
- (3) The proposed budget of the Department shall list the eligible programs and estimate the amount of State funds to be allocated to each.
- (4) The Department shall seek federal funds for Youth Suicide Prevention School Programs under the Garret Lee Smith Memorial Act.
(c) Inclusion of funds in budgets. -- The State funds designated for Youth Suicide Prevention School Programs may be included in the budgets of:
- (1) The Department; and
- (2) The Maryland Department of Health.
Maryland Code 7-506. Funds; reports
(a) Identification of funds. -- The local education agency and the local health department shall identify funds from public and private agencies for development and implementation of the Program. (b) Annual report to Governor. -- The Department shall submit an annual report to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly regarding the current status and effectiveness of the Programs established under this subtitle. (c) Governor to include funds in budget. -- The Governor shall include funds in the budget to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.