Governor signs
suicide prevention laws
On May 23 Governor Sean Parnell signed two pieces of legislation to strengthen the state’s effort to prevent suicide. House Bill 21 increases the number of members on the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council from 16 to 17. The additional member would provide representation for members of the military. The Governor also signed Senate Bill 137, the Jason Flatt Act. The bill requires school personnel, including each teacher, administrator, counselor, and specialist who is employed by a district, regional educational attendance area, or department to receive training annually in suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention.