§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, alcohol use, and gambling addiction;

        (3)    A suicide prevention program for young people should promote recognizing student behavioral health issues, recognizing students experiencing trauma or violence out of school, and referring students to behavioral health services;

        (4)    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;

        (5)    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

        (6)    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.