Committee approves adding two members to Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition
Summary
The House Health and Human Development Committee approved a code change to add two members to the statewide Suicide Prevention Coalition — one who has experienced suicidal ideation or survived an attempt, and one who has lost a loved one to suicide. The measure will be reported to the full House.
The House Health and Human Development Committee voted to advance House Bill 87, a change to Title 16 of the Delaware Code that adds two members to the state’s Suicide Prevention Coalition: one person who has experienced suicidal ideation or survived an attempt and one person who has lost a loved one to suicide.
Sponsor comment and roll call. Representative Schoo introduced the bill, saying the additions would “help the other elected officials who are on the coalition understand what this coalition is challenged to identify and hopefully move us forward within the state of Delaware.” There were no public commenters in person or online during the HB 87 public-comment period, and the committee conducted a roll-call vote. The clerk announced that the motion carried and that the bill “will be submitted to the House for consideration.”
Why it matters. Supporters said lived experience on the coalition would improve the body’s ability to identify gaps and guide statewide suicide-prevention work. The change amends the composition of the statutorily created coalition in Title 16; no budgetary changes or implementation dates were discussed during the committee hearing.
Procedure and next steps. Committee staff said the bill would be offered for signatures from members not present; if it received the required signatures it would be reported out on the legislative website and announced on the House floor. The committee record indicates the motion carried; staff said the item will be sent forward to the full House for consideration.
