Resolve, Creating a Working Group To Study the High Rate of Suicide in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1208
Committee Amendment CA_A_S308 (Senate)
Committee: Health and Human Services and one of whom is appointed by the President of the Senate from nominations submitted by the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT A" to S.P. 422, L.D. 1208, "Resolve, 
Creating a Working Group To Study the High Rate of Suicide in 
Maine" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting 
the following: 
'Resolve, Regarding the Prevention of Suicide' 
Further amend the bill by striking out all of the 2nd and 
3rd paragraphs after the title (page 1, lines 5 to 11 in L.D.) 
and inserting in their place the following: 
'Whereas, this 
resolve 
establishes 
a 
program 
for 
the 
prevention of adult suicide; and 
Whereas, the 
program 
and 
its 
study 
must 
be 
initiated 
promptly in order to save lives in this State; and' 
Further amend the resolve by striking out all of sections I 
to 10 and inserting in their place the following: 
'Sec. 1. Initiative for prevention of suicide. Resolved: 
That the 
Commissioner of Health and 
Human 
Services shall establish a 
program for the prevention of adult suicide. 
The development of 
the program must include a working group consisting of personnel 
from the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elder 
and Adult Services and Bureau of Health and the department's 
office 
of 
adult 
mental 
health 
services. 
The 
working 
Page l-LRI400(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
6" 
~~ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,~ to S.P. 422, L.D. 1208 
group must include 3 Legislators, 2 of whom are appointed by the 
Speaker of the House 
from nominations submitted by the Joint 
Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and one of whom 
is appointed by the President of the Senate from nominations 
submitted by the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human 
Services. 
The 
President of 
the 
Senate 
shall 
appoint 
other 
interested 
persons, 
including, 
but 
not 
limited 
to, 
representatives of advocacy groups for persons who are elderly 
and persons with mental illness and family members of adults who 
have completed suicide. 
The Speaker of the House shall appoint a 
person 
representing 
the 
Joint 
Advisory 
Committee 
on 
Select 
Services for Older Persons 
and representatives of employers, 
providers of primary health care services and consumers of mental 
health services and such other persons as may be needed to 
develop an effective program. 
Members 
of the working group, 
including Legislators, 
serve without payor reimbursement for 
expenses. 
The program must be created within existing resources 
developed through applications for grant funding, donations and 
other means; and be it further 
Sec. 2. 
Strategic plan. Resolved: 
That 
the 
adult 
suicide 
prevention program must include a statewide strategic plan to 
address the incidence of adult suicide. 
The plan may include, as 
necessary 
to 
reasonably 
reduce 
the 
expected 
rate 
of 
adult 
suicide, a statewide preventative mentoring and buddy program, a 
statewide 
education 
program 
for 
providers 
of 
services 
and 
consumers and a communication plan for the education program, a 
media plan and an annual conference; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: 
That the Commissioner of Health and 
Human Services shall report by January 31, 
2006 to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Health and Human Services regarding the 
status of the adult suicide prevention program under section 1 
and may present any recommendations.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment changes the title and replaces the resolve. 
It directs the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to 
establish a 
program for the prevention of adult suicide and 
establishes 
a 
working group to 
advise 
the commissioner. 
It 
requires the development of a strategic plan and a report to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by January 
31, 2006. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/20/05 ;:t;!?ae 
LD 1515 
LR 1402(02) 
Resolve, To Establish a Responsive, Community-based, Cost-effective and Comprehensive Adult 
Mental Health System 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment At 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services can be absorbed by the department utilizing 
existing budgetary resources. 
LR1402(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1