Maryland Education Section 7-501

      The General Assembly finds and declares that:

            (1)      A statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program is essential to address the continuing problem of youth suicide throughout the State;

            (2)      The youth suicide problem often exists in combination with other problems, including drug abuse and alcohol use;

            (3)      A suicide prevention program for young people must emphasize a partnership between educational programs at the State and local levels and community suicide prevention and crisis center agencies;

            (4)      It is of vital importance that a statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program be established with shared responsibility at both the State and county levels, and that this cooperation shall be a major tool in efforts to achieve the successful prevention of youth suicide; and

            (5)      County suicide prevention and crisis center agencies along with local education agencies are best suited for developing and implementing programs for statewide youth suicide prevention.