Bill Text: TX HCR63 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker to create a joint interim committee to study suicide prevention in Texas.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-04-12 - Left pending in committee [HCR63 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HCR63-Introduced.html
| 88R12800 AMB-D | ||
| By: Hunter | H.C.R. No. 63 | |
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| WHEREAS, Suicide rates rose across the United States from | ||
| 2000 to 2020, and the State of Texas saw a nearly 37 percent | ||
| increase during that period; and | ||
| WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and | ||
| Prevention, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the | ||
| nation, claiming more than 45,900 lives in 2020 alone, and | ||
| provisional data indicates that the number and rate of suicides in | ||
| the U.S. increased by four percent from 2020 to 2021; moreover, | ||
| there are millions of adults who have seriously considered or | ||
| attempted suicide, and the stigma associated with mental health | ||
| conditions often prevents these individuals from seeking the care | ||
| they need; and | ||
| WHEREAS, There has also been an alarming increase in the | ||
| number of suicide attempts and deaths by suicide in Texas | ||
| correctional institutions, with little understanding of what the | ||
| cause might be; and | ||
| WHEREAS, While the social impact of these deaths is | ||
| undeniable but difficult to quantify, the economic toll of suicide | ||
| on society is clear, with suicides and suicide attempts costing the | ||
| nation approximately $93.5 billion annually in lifetime medical and | ||
| work-loss costs; and | ||
| WHEREAS, All 50 states have a suicide prevention plan, but | ||
| most states, including Texas, do not require suicide prevention | ||
| training for health care professionals; evidence shows that states | ||
| and communities can do more to identify and support people at risk | ||
| of suicide by teaching coping skills, promoting safe and supportive | ||
| environments, and connecting people to effective and coordinated | ||
| mental and physical health care; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Suicide is a public health issue of vital importance | ||
| to all Texans, and the development of suicide prevention strategies | ||
| would help to save lives; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby request the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House | ||
| of Representatives to create a joint interim committee to study | ||
| suicide prevention in Texas, including in Texas correctional | ||
| institutions; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be | ||
| governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees | ||
| as the 88th Texas Legislature may adopt; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the committee shall submit a full report, | ||
| including findings and recommendations, to the 89th Texas | ||
| Legislature before it convenes in January 2025. | ||
