648

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 122

WHEREAS, Youth suicide is a phenomenon which must be
addressed by a concerned society and which can only be solved
through the combined efforts of individuals, families, community
organizations, public officials, agencies, educators and
community leaders; and

WHEREAS, The effort to prevent youth suicide has been
initiated in several jurisdictions throughout the State; now,
therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Education

SUBTITLE 4A. YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION SCHOOL PROGRAMS

7-4A-01.

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.

(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.

7-4A-02.

(A)  IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B)  "PROGRAM" MEANS A YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION SCHOOL
PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.

(C)  "YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU" MEANS A PROGRAM DEFINED UNDER §
6-122 OF THE HEALTH - GENERAL ARTICLE.