HSC §131300: (a) The State Department of Public Health is hereby authorized to establish the Office of Suicide Prevention in the department pursuant to this chapter.

(a) The State Department of Public Health is hereby authorized to establish the Office of Suicide Prevention in the department pursuant to this chapter. The responsibilities of the office, if established, may include all of the following: (1) Providing information and technical assistance to statewide and regional partners regarding best practices on suicide prevention policies and programs. (2) Conducting state level assessment of regional and statewide suicide prevention policies and practices, including other states’ suicide prevention policies, and including specific metrics and domains as appropriate. (3) Monitoring and disseminating data to inform prevention efforts at the state and local levels. (4) Convening experts and stakeholders, including, but not limited to, stakeholders representing populations with high rates of suicide, to encourage collaboration and coordination of resources for suicide prevention. (5) Reporting on progress to reduce rates of suicide. (b) If established, the office may focus activities on groups with the highest risk, including youth, Native American youth, older adults, veterans, and LGBTQ people.