This bill mandates that hospitals in New Jersey report certain attempted and completed suicides involving minors to the New Jersey Poison Control Center. Specifically, hospitals are required to annually report the number of cases where a minor has used a drug in their suicide attempt or completion. Additionally, they must provide any available demographic information requested by the Department of Health, such as the minor's age, ethnicity, gender, race, and the specific drug involved. The Poison Control Center will then compile this data and submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature.
Furthermore, the bill ensures that any names and individual identification data collected during this reporting process will remain confidential and will not be disclosed unless mandated by law. It explicitly states that the provisions of the bill do not require the disclosure of private or confidential health information in violation of state or federal privacy laws. This legislation aims to enhance data collection on youth suicides to better understand and address this critical public health issue.