HCS HB 59 & 269 -- SUICIDE PREVENTION (Johnson, 61) This substitute requires the Director of the Department of Mental Health, in partnership with the Department of Health and Senior Services, to design and develop a state suicide prevention plan in collaboration with the departments of Social Services, Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, and Corrections. The plan must: (1) Promote the use of employee assistance and workplace programs to support employees experiencing depression or other psychiatric illnesses; (2) Promote the use of student assistance and educational programs to support students with depression and other psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse disorders; (3) Provide training and technical assistance to local public health and other community-based professionals on the best practices to prevent suicides; (4) Coordinate federal, state, and local agencies in order to collect and analyze data on suicides and suicidal behaviors in Missouri and annually issue a public report; (5) Establish a toll-free suicide prevention hotline; and (6) Recommend statutory changes and implementation and funding requirements to the General Assembly by December 31, 2004. FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds.Copyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives