Rock Island Today

Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) gave her approval on House Bill 0577 which would make changes to provisions regarding youth suicide awareness and prevention.

McCombie said that the bill does not revise the current statute.

She referred to part of  the policy, that reads “methods of intervention, including procedures that address an emotional or mental health safety plan for students identified as being at increased risk of suicide including those students who: suffer from a mental health disorder; suffer from a substance abuse disorder; engage in self-harm or have previously attempted suicide; reside in an out-of-home placement; are experiencing homelessness, are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ); are bereaved by suicide; or have a medical condition or certain types of disabilities.”

“I don't see how this is necessarily changing the statute other than just calling out what’s obviously issues already for children,” McCombie stated. “I don't think it adds. There is no increase of penalties.”

“I don't see anything in here other than this, just clarifying some of those issues, there’s no preventative issue,” McCombie said.

McCombie said she would be happy to co-sponsor the bill, which she, later on, was added to the list of co-sponsors.

She suggested adding more context “if we are going to start pinpointing emotional and mental health issues.”