Bill Text: IL SB1425 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Amends the Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act. Makes changes concerning the findings of the General Assembly. Creates the Office of Suicide Prevention within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of implementing the Act. Requires the Office of Suicide Prevention, in consultation with the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance, to submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly on the effectiveness of the activities and programs undertaken under the Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan that includes any recommendations for modification to Illinois law to enhance the effectiveness of the Plan (instead of an annual report by the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance). Changes what shall be contained in the Plan. Provides that the Office of Suicide Prevention (in addition to the Department) shall provide technical assistance to the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance and implement a general awareness and screening program. Provides that the program shall include an annual statewide suicide prevention conference. Removes provisions requiring the Department to establish 5 suicide prevention pilot programs relating to youth, elderly, special populations, high-risk populations, and professional caregivers. Provides that the Office of Suicide Prevention shall establish programs that are consistent with the Plan. Effective July 1, 2019.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 52-7)

Status: (Passed) 2019-08-09 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 101-0331 [SB1425 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SB1425-Introduced.html

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101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2019 and 2020 SB1425 Introduced 2/13/2019, by Sen. Heather A. Steans SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
410 ILCS 53/5
410 ILCS 53/10
410 ILCS 53/11 new
410 ILCS 53/13
410 ILCS 53/15
410 ILCS 53/20
410 ILCS 53/30
Amends the Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act. Makes changes concerning the findings of the General Assembly. Creates the Office of Suicide Prevention within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of implementing the Act. Requires the Office of Suicide Prevention, in consultation with the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance, to submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly on the effectiveness of the activities and programs undertaken under the Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan that includes any recommendations for modification to Illinois law to enhance the effectiveness of the Plan (instead of an annual report by the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance). Changes what shall be contained in the Plan. Provides that the Office of Suicide Prevention (in addition to the Department) shall provide technical assistance to the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance and implement a general awareness and screening program. Provides that the program shall include an annual statewide suicide prevention conference. Removes provisions requiring the Department to establish 5 suicide prevention pilot programs relating to youth, elderly, special populations, high-risk populations, and professional caregivers. Provides that the Office of Suicide Prevention shall establish programs that are consistent with the Plan. Effective July 1, 2019.
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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning health.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Suicide Prevention, Education, and
Treatment Act is amended by changing Sections 5, 10, 13, 15,
20, 25, and 30 and adding Section 11 as follows:
(410 ILCS 53/5)
Sec. 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly makes
the following findings:
(1) 1,474 Illinoisans lost their lives to suicide in
2017. During 2016, suicide was the eleventh leading cause
of death in Illinois, causing more deaths than homicide,
motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, and numerous
prevalent diseases, including liver disease, hypertension,
influenza/pneumonia, Parkinson's disease, and HIV. Suicide
was the third leading cause of death of ages 15 to 34 and
the fourth leading cause of death of ages 35 to 54. Those
living outside of urban areas are particularly at risk for
suicide, with a rate that is 50% higher than those living
in urban areas.
(2) For every person who dies by suicide, more than 30
others attempt suicide.
(3) Each suicide attempt and death impacts countless

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other individuals. Family members, friends, co-workers,
and others in the community all suffer the long-lasting
consequences of suicidal behaviors.
(4) Suicide attempts and deaths by suicide have an
economic impact on Illinois. The National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control estimates that in 2010 each suicide
death in Illinois resulted in $1,181,549 in medical costs
and work loss costs. It also estimated that each
hospitalization for self-harm resulted in $31,019 in
medical costs and work loss costs and each emergency room
visit for self-harm resulted in $4,546 in medical costs and
work loss costs.
(5) In 2004, the Illinois General Assembly passed the
Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act (Public
Act 93-907), which required the Illinois Department of
Public Health to establish the Illinois Suicide Prevention
Strategic Planning Committee to develop the Illinois
Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. That law required the
use of the 2002 United States Surgeon General's National
Suicide Prevention Strategy as a model for the Plan. Public
Act 95-109 changed the name of the committee to the
Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance. The Illinois Suicide
Prevention Strategic Plan was submitted in 2007 and updated
in 2018.
(6) In 2004, there were 1,028 suicide deaths in
Illinois, which the Centers for Disease Control reports was

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an age-adjusted rate of 8.11 deaths per 100,000. The
Centers for Disease Control reports that the 1,474 suicide
deaths in 2017 result in an age-adjusted rate of 11.19
deaths per 100,000. Thus, since the enactment of Public Act
93-907, the rate of suicides in Illinois has risen by 38%.
(7) Since the enactment of Public Act 93-907, there
have been numerous developments in suicide prevention,
including the issuance of the 2012 National Strategy for
Suicide Prevention by the United States Surgeon General and
the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
containing new strategies and recommended activities for
local governmental bodies.
(8) Despite the obvious impact of suicide on Illinois
citizens, Illinois has devoted minimal resources to its
prevention. There is no full-time coordinator or director
of suicide prevention activities in the State. Moreover,
the Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan is still modeled on
the now obsolete 2002 National Suicide Prevention
Strategy.
(9) It is necessary to revise the Suicide Prevention
Strategic Plan to reflect the most current National Suicide
Prevention Strategy as well as current research and
experience into the prevention of suicide.
(10) One of the goals adopted in the 2012 National
Strategy for Suicide Prevention is to promote suicide
prevention as a core component of health care services so

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there is an active engagement of health and social
services, as well as the coordination of care across
multiple settings, thereby ensuring continuity of care and
promoting patient safety.
(11) Integrating suicide prevention into behavioral
and physical health care services can save lives. National
data indicate that: over 30% of individuals are receiving
mental health care at the time of their deaths by suicide;
45% have seen their primary care physicians within one
month of their deaths; and 25% of those who die of suicide
visited an emergency department in the month prior to their
deaths.
(12) The Zero Suicide model is a part of the National
Strategy for Suicide Prevention, a priority of the National
Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and a project of
the Suicide Prevention Resource Center that implements the
goal of making suicide prevention a core component of
health care services.
(13) The Zero Suicide model is built on the
foundational belief and aspirational goal that suicide
deaths of individuals who are under the care of our health
care systems are preventable with the adoption of
comprehensive training, patient engagement, transition,
and quality improvement.
(14) Health care systems, including mental and
behavioral health systems and hospitals, that have

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implemented the Zero Suicide model have noted significant
reductions in suicide deaths for patients within their
care.
(15) The Suicide Prevention Resource Center
facilitates adoption of the Zero Suicide model by providing
comprehensive information, resources, and tools for its
implementation.
(1) The Surgeon General of the United States has
described suicide prevention as a serious public health
priority and has called upon each state to develop a
statewide comprehensive suicide prevention strategy using
a public health approach. Suicide now ranks 10th among
causes of death, nationally.
(2) In 1998, 1,064 Illinoisans lost their lives to
suicide, an average of 3 Illinois residents per day. It is
estimated that there are between 21,000 and 35,000 suicide
attempts in Illinois every year. Three and one-half percent
of all suicides in the nation take place in Illinois.
(3) Among older adults, suicide rates are increasing,
making suicide the leading fatal injury among the elderly
population in Illinois. As the proportion of Illinois'
population age 75 and older increases, the number of
suicides among persons in this age group will also
increase, unless an effective suicide prevention strategy
is implemented.
(4) Adolescents are far more likely to attempt suicide

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than other age groups in Illinois. The data indicates that
there are 100 attempts for every adolescent suicide
completed. In 1998, 156 Illinois youths died by suicide,
between the ages of 15 through 24. Using this estimate,
there were likely more than 15,500 suicide attempts made by
Illinois adolescents or approximately 50% of all estimated
suicide attempts that occurred in Illinois were made by
adolescents.
(5) Homicide and suicide rank as the second and third
leading causes of death in Illinois for youth,
respectively. Both are preventable. While the death rates
for unintentional injuries decreased by more than 35%
between 1979 and 1996, the death rates for homicide and
suicide increased for youth. Evidence is growing in terms
of the links between suicide and other forms of violence.
This provides compelling reasons for broadening the
State's scope in identifying risk factors for self-harmful
behavior. The number of estimated youth suicide attempts
and the growing concerns of youth violence can best be
addressed through the implementation of successful
gatekeeper-training programs to identify and refer youth
at risk for self-harmful behavior.
(6) The American Association of Suicidology
conservatively estimates that the lives of at least 6
persons related to or connected to individuals who attempt
or complete suicide are impacted. Using these estimates, in

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1998, more than 6,000 Illinoisans struggled to cope with
the impact of suicide.
(7) Decreases in alcohol and other drug abuse, as well
as decreases in access to lethal means, significantly
reduce the number of suicides.
(8) Suicide attempts are expected to be higher than
reported because attempts not requiring medical attention
are not required to be reported. The underreporting of
suicide completion is also likely because suicide
classification involves conclusions regarding the intent
of the deceased. The stigma associated with suicide is also
likely to contribute to underreporting. Without
interagency collaboration and support for proven,
community-based, culturally-competent suicide prevention
and intervention programs, suicides are likely to rise.
(9) Emerging data on rates of suicide based on gender,
ethnicity, age, and geographic areas demand a new strategy
that responds to the needs of a diverse population.
(10) According to Children's Safety Network Economics
Insurance, the cost of youth suicide acts by persons in
Illinois who are under 21 years of age totals $539,000,000,
including medical costs, future earnings lost, and a
measure of quality of life.
(11) Suicide is the second leading cause of death in
Illinois for persons between the ages of 15 and 24.
(12) In 1998, there were 1,116 homicides in Illinois,

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which outnumbered suicides by only 52. Yet, so far, only
homicide has received funding, programs, and media
attention.
(13) According to the 1999 national report on
statistics for suicide of the American Association of
Suicidology, categories of unintentional injury, motor
vehicle deaths, and all other deaths include many reported
and unsubstantiated suicides that are not identified
correctly because of poor investigatory techniques,
unsophisticated inquest jurors, and stigmas that cause
families to cover up evidence.
(14) Programs for HIV infectious diseases are very well
funded even though, in Illinois, HIV deaths number 30% less
than suicide deaths.
(Source: P.A. 93-907, eff. 8-11-04.)
(410 ILCS 53/10)
Sec. 10. Definitions. For the purpose of this Act, unless
the context otherwise requires:
"Alliance" means the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance.
"Department" means the Department of Public Health.
"Office of Suicide Prevention" means the Office of Suicide
Prevention within the Department of Public Health.
"Plan" means the Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic
Plan set forth in Section 15.
(Source: P.A. 95-109, eff. 1-1-08.)

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(410 ILCS 53/11 new)
Sec. 11. Office of Suicide Prevention. The Office of
Suicide Prevention is created within the Department of Public
Health for the purpose of implementing this Act.
(410 ILCS 53/13)
Sec. 13. Duration; report. The Office of Suicide
Prevention, in consultation with All projects set forth in this
Act must be at least 3 years in duration, and the Department
and related contracts as well as the Illinois Suicide
Prevention Alliance, must submit an annual report annually to
the Governor and General Assembly on the effectiveness of the
these activities and programs undertaken under the Plan that
includes any recommendations for modification to Illinois law
to enhance the effectiveness of the Plan.
(Source: P.A. 95-109, eff. 1-1-08.)
(410 ILCS 53/15)
Sec. 15. Suicide Prevention Alliance.
(a) The Alliance is created as the official grassroots
creator, planner, monitor, and advocate for the Illinois
Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. No later than one year after
the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General
Assembly Act, the Alliance shall review, finalize, and submit
to the Governor and the General Assembly the 2020 Illinois

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Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan and appropriate processes
and outcome objectives for 10 overriding recommendations and a
timeline for reaching these objectives.
(b) The Plan shall include: The Alliance shall use the
United States Surgeon General's National Suicide Prevention
Strategy as a model for the Plan.
(1) recommendations from the most current National
Suicide Prevention Strategy;
(2) current research and experience into the
prevention of suicide;
(3) measures to encourage and assist health care
systems and primary care providers to include suicide
prevention as a core component of their services,
including, but not limited to, implementing the Zero
Suicide model; and
(4) additional elements as determined appropriate by
the Alliance.
The Alliance shall review the statutorily prescribed
missions of major State mental health, health, aging, and
school mental health programs and recommend, as necessary and
appropriate, statutory changes to include suicide prevention
in the missions and procedures of those programs. The Alliance
shall prepare a report of that review, including its
recommendations, and shall submit the report to the Office of
Suicide Prevention for inclusion in its annual report to the
Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2004.

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(c) The Director of Public Health shall appoint the members
of the Alliance. The membership of the Alliance shall include,
without limitation, representatives of statewide organizations
and other agencies that focus on the prevention of suicide and
the improvement of mental health treatment or that provide
suicide prevention or survivor support services. Other
disciplines that shall be considered for membership on the
Alliance include law enforcement, first responders,
faith-based community leaders, universities, and survivors of
suicide (families and friends who have lost persons to suicide)
as well as consumers of services of these agencies and
organizations.
(d) The Alliance shall meet at least 4 times a year, and
more as deemed necessary, in various sites statewide in order
to foster as much participation as possible. The Alliance, a
steering committee, and core members of the full committee
shall monitor and guide the definition and direction of the
goals of the full Alliance, shall review and approve
productions of the plan, and shall meet before the full
Alliance meetings.
(Source: P.A. 95-109, eff. 1-1-08.)
(410 ILCS 53/20)
Sec. 20. General awareness and screening program.
(a) The Department and the Office of Suicide Prevention
shall provide technical assistance for the work of the Alliance

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and the production of the Plan and shall distribute general
information and screening tools for suicide prevention to the
general public through local public health departments
throughout the State. These materials shall be distributed to
agencies, schools, hospitals, churches, places of employment,
and all related professional caregivers to educate all citizens
about warning signs and interventions that all persons can do
to stop the suicidal cycle.
(b) This program shall include, without limitation, all of
the following:
(1) Educational programs about warning signs and how to
help suicidal individuals.
(2) Educational presentations about suicide risk and
how to help at-risk people in special populations and with
bilingual support to special cultures.
(3) The designation of an annual suicide awareness week
or month to include a public awareness campaign on suicide.
(4) An annual A statewide suicide prevention
conference before November of 2004.
(5) An Illinois Suicide Prevention Speaker's Bureau.
(6) A program to educate the media regarding the
guidelines developed by the American Association for
Suicidology for coverage of suicides and to encourage media
cooperation in adopting these guidelines in reporting
suicides.
(7) Increased training opportunities for volunteers,

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professionals, and other caregivers to develop specific
skills for assessing suicide risk and intervening to
prevent suicide.
(Source: P.A. 95-109, eff. 1-1-08.)
(410 ILCS 53/30)
Sec. 30. Suicide prevention pilot programs.
(a) The Office of Suicide Prevention Department shall
establish, when funds are appropriated, programs, including,
but not limited to, pilot and demonstration programs, that are
consistent with the Plan. up to 5 pilot programs that provide
training and direct service programs relating to youth,
elderly, special populations, high-risk populations, and
professional caregivers. The purpose of these pilot programs is
to demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of the projects
set forth in this Act in the communities in which they are
offered. The pilot programs shall be operational for at least 2
years of the 3-year requirement set forth in Section 13.
(b) The Director of Public Health is encouraged to ensure
that the pilot programs include the following prevention
strategies:
(1) school gatekeeper and faculty training;
(2) community gatekeeper training;
(3) general community suicide prevention education;
(4) health providers and physician training and
consultation about high-risk cases;

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(5) depression, anxiety, and suicide screening
programs;
(6) peer support youth and older adult programs;
(7) the enhancement of 24-hour crisis centers,
hotlines, and person-to-person calling trees;
(8) means restriction advocacy and collaboration; and
(9) intervening and supporting after a suicide.
(b) (c) The funds appropriated for purposes of this Section
shall be allocated by the Office Department on a competitive,
grant-submission basis, which shall include consideration of
different rates of risk of suicide based on age, ethnicity,
gender, prevalence of mental health disorders, different rates
of suicide based on geographic areas in Illinois, and the
services and curriculum offered to fit these needs by the
applying agency.
(d) The Department and Alliance shall prepare a report as
to the effectiveness of the demonstration projects established
pursuant to this Section and submit that report no later than 6
months after the projects are completed to the Governor and
General Assembly.
(Source: P.A. 95-109, eff. 1-1-08.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
2019.