Act No. 56 Page 1 of 1
2023
This act summary is provided for the convenience of the public and members of the General Assembly. It
is intended to provide a general summary of the act and may not be exhaustive. It has been prepared by the
staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel without input from members of the General Assembly. It is not
intended to aid in the interpretation of legislation or to serve as a source of legislative intent.
Act No. 56 (H. 481). An act relating to public health initiatives to address death by suicide
Subjects: Health; mental health; preventing death by suicide
Sec. 1 of this act describes the duties of the Department of Mental Health’s Director of
Suicide Prevention, which include implementing data-driven initiatives, expanding
partnerships, coordinating suicide prevention programs across the State, and promoting
and supporting statewide crisis and suicide prevention recommendations outlined in the
State’s Suicide Platform.
Sec. 2 of this act requires the Director of Suicide Prevention, in collaboration with the
Agency of Human Services and stakeholders, to develop and submit a statewide strategic
plan pertaining to suicide prevention services, training, education, and postvention
services to the General Assembly. Prior to the submission of the statewide strategic plan,
the Director of Suicide Prevention is required to submit quarterly progress updates on the
plan’s development to the General Assembly between July 1, 2023 and April 1, 2024.
Additionally, this act requires the Director of Suicide Prevention to develop and submit a
model protocol for schools on suicide prevention, education, and postvention services.
Sec. 3 of this act requires the Director of Suicide Prevention, in collaboration with the
Agency of Human Services and other stakeholders, to develop and submit a model
protocol for health care facilities regarding suicide prevention and postvention services.
Sec. 4 of this act requires the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Director
of Suicide Prevention, to present information to specific committees of the General
Assembly regarding the work accomplished by the State in accordance with the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention’s Comprehensive Suicide Prevention grant. Prior to
this presentation, the Department of Health is required to submit the results of the
complete Suicide Data Linkage Project.
Effective Date: July 1, 2023
VT LEG #370908 v.2