SENATE, No. 557

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  KEVIN J. O'TOOLE

District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     “Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act”; requires institutions of higher education to have individuals who focus on reducing student suicides and attempted suicides available 24 hours a day.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  


An Act concerning suicide prevention at institutions of higher education and supplementing chapter 3B of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act.”

 

     2.    a.  An institution of higher education shall have individuals with training and experience in mental health issues who focus on reducing student suicides and attempted suicides available on campus or remotely by telephone or other means for students 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The individuals shall also work with faculty and staff on ways to recognize the warning signs and risk factors associated with student suicide.

     b.    No later than 15 days following the beginning of each semester, an institution of higher education shall transmit to each student via electronic mail the contact information of the individuals required pursuant to subsection a. of this section.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect on the 90th day after the date of enactment.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill is entitled the “Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act.”       The bill requires an institution of higher education to have individuals with training and experience in mental health issues who focus on reducing student suicides and attempted suicides available on campus or remotely by telephone or other means for students 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The individuals will also work with faculty and staff on ways to recognize the warning signs and risk factors associated with student suicide.

     Under the bill, no later than 15 days following the beginning of each semester, an institution must transmit to each student via electronic mail the contact information of the individuals.