2023 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 43A. Mental Health
§43A-12-104. Oklahoma Suicide Prevention Council - Responsibilities.

A. There is hereby created until January 1, 2020, an Oklahoma Suicide Prevention Council. The Council shall assist with the implementation of the Suicide Prevention Act.

B. The Oklahoma Suicide Prevention Council shall be composed of twenty-seven (27) members as follows:

1. One member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

2. One member of the Oklahoma State Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

3. Two representatives of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services appointed by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;

4. Two representatives of the State Department of Health appointed by the State Commissioner of Health;

5. One representative of the State Department of Education appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction;

6. One representative of the Office of Juvenile Affairs appointed by the Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs;

7. One representative of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth appointed by the Director of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth;

8. Two survivors of attempted suicide, one of whom is a minor, who have had experience with attempted suicide or suicide; the minor shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the adult shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

9. Two survivors of suicide, including, but not limited to, parents or other family members of persons who committed suicide, to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

10. One teacher and one school counselor each to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

11. Three licensed mental health professionals who work in the area of suicide prevention, one with the youth population, one with the adult population, and one with the older adult population appointed by the Governor;

12. Three members of the clergy, one each appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Governor;

13. Two members representing military service members, to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

14. Two members representing Native American/Tribal members, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

15. Two members representing the medical community, including but not limited to licensed medical providers or hospital administrators, to be appointed by the Governor.

C. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, or a designee, shall convene the initial meeting of the Council, at which time the Council shall elect a chair and vice-chair from among its membership. Staff assistance to the Council shall be provided by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the State Department of Health. Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their service on the Council but shall be reimbursed by the appointing authority for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

D. Upon four absences of a Council member within one (1) calendar year, the position shall be considered vacant. The chair may notify the appointing authority of the vacancy and request that another individual be appointed to fill the position.

E. The responsibilities of the Council shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Collaborate with community partnership boards established pursuant to Section 601.11 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes and other community-level planning bodies to assist in the development and coordination of local resources and building community capacity to address the issue of minor and adult suicide;

2. Provide technical assistance to schools and communities with respect to the best practices in the identification and treatment of minors and adults at risk for suicide;

3. Identify systemic issues and promote strategies to prevent suicide among minors and adults; and

4. Promote public awareness of the problem of minor suicide and the efforts being made in Oklahoma to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with suicide.

F. The Council shall submit a report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the State Commissioner of Health no later than December 1 of each year. The report shall provide an update of activities and progress in implementing the provisions of the Suicide Prevention Act, and offer policy and legislative recommendations.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 168, § 4, emerg. eff. May 2, 2001. Amended by Laws 2001, c. 415, § 19, emerg. eff. June 5, 2001; Laws 2002, c. 327, § 33, eff. July 1, 2002; Laws 2004, c. 389, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2004; Laws 2008, c. 113, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2008; Laws 2013, c. 128, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.