Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill
Introduced by: President Mosby and Councilmember McCray
A Bill Entitled
An Ordinance concerning
title
Suicide Prevention Coordinator - Establishment
For the purpose of establishing the position of Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the Health Department; and providing for the duties of the Suicide Prevention Coordinator.
body
By adding
Article - Health
Section 2-103.1
Baltimore City Revised Code
(Edition 2000)
Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Revised Code
Article - Health
Title 2. Department of Health
Subtitle 1. Organization and General Authority
§ 2-103.1. Suicide Prevention Coordinator.
(a) In general.
There is a Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the Health Department.
(b) Scope.
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator shall:
(1) collaborate with system partners to support behavioral health system management; and
(2) work to prevent suicides and mental health crises.
(c) Duties.
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator shall:
(1) reach out to community organizations, groups and agencies to inform them about available resources regarding suicide prevention;
(2) coordinate and provide suicide prevention trainings and trainings regarding the relationship between trauma and suicide as needed;
(3) carry out new public awareness prevention strategies;
(4) distribute resource materials as appropriate;
(5) generally collaborate with:
(i) the State Behavioral Health Administration’s Office of Suicide Prevention;
(ii) the Baltimore Police Department;
(iii) the Fire Department;
(iv) local emergency departments;
(v) Baltimore Crisis Response;
(vi) the Baltimore City Public School System;
(vii) academic partners;
(viii) people with mental health conditions; and
(ix) other local agencies and services;
(6) collaborate with the Health Department’s Child Fatality Review team to develop and implement prevention plans;
(7) collaborate with emergency departments, pediatricians, primary care physicians, the Baltimore City Public School System, and colleges and universities to encourage screening for suicidality and to establish continuity of care for patients at risk of suicide;
(8) develop and coordinate a data collection and analysis plan to determine trends regarding suicides and suicide attempts;
(9) develop a plan of action to reduce suicides in Baltimore City;
(10) provide consultations to mental health, school, juvenile, and social services professionals;
(11) represent the Health Department in interagency meetings and committees;
(12) support system accountability to ensure that services are responsive to the behavioral health needs of Baltimore City residents;
(13) work with diverse populations in Baltimore City to actively decrease stigma associated with mental health; and
(14) fulfill other related duties as assigned by the local behavioral health authority.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
Section 3. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.