HR 627

Subject

Suicide prevention and data collection efforts

Overview

This bill directs the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts within the Commonwealth and to make recommendations for improving existing initiatives. The legislation cites suicide as a leading cause of death nationally and within the state, noting that in 2023 it was the 11th leading cause of death overall in the United States and the second leading cause for individuals aged 10 to 34. The text references the establishment of the 988 behavioral health crisis services line in July 2022, the formation of a Statewide Suicide Prevention Task Force in 2019, and the creation of the Behavioral Health Council via Executive Order in 2023.

Key Provisions

• Direct the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts and submit recommendations for improvement.
• Require the report to analyze the extent to which the Commonwealth has followed the three shared suicide prevention goals established by the Suicide Prevention Task Force for 2025-2027.
• Mandate a detailed analysis of the Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System (PAVDRS), including barriers to comprehensive data collection such as lack of mandates, confidentiality concerns, and resource limitations.
• Require recommendations on legislative actions to ensure all medical examiners, coroners, and law enforcement agencies report suicide data to the Department of Health.
• Include an analysis of policies and programs adopted by other states to reduce suicide rates and recommendations for aligning state efforts with the 2024 United States National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
• Direct the Commission to seek input from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and other stakeholders.
• Set a deadline for the Commission to present its final report to the House of Representatives no later than January 1, 2028.