Maryland § 5-1002

§ 5-1002.

    (a)    There is a Maryland Suicide Fatality Review Committee, also referred to as the State team.

    (b)    The purpose of the State team is to identify and address the factors contributing to suicide deaths and facilitate system changes in the State to prevent suicide deaths.

    (c)    (1)    The State team shall include the following members, who shall serve on an ex officio basis:

            (i)    The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee;

            (ii)    The Deputy Secretary of the Behavioral Health Administration, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee; and

            (iii)    The Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention.

        (2)    The Secretary may include in the State team the Chief Medical Examiner, or the Chief Medical Examiner’s designee.

        (3)    The Secretary may include the following members in the State team, as designated by the Secretary:

            (i)    A suicidologist or an academic with a specialty in the study and prevention of suicide;

            (ii)    One representative of health care providers;

            (iii)    One representative of an organization having expertise in suicide prevention;

            (iv)    One representative of an organization having expertise in the treatment and prevention of substance abuse;

            (v)    One representative of an organization that advocates for individuals with mental illness;

            (vi)    One representative of law enforcement or correctional services; and

            (vii)    Any additional members determined to be necessary by the Secretary to carry out the purpose of this subtitle, which may include representatives from relevant disciplines and relevant community–based organizations.

    (d)    The State team shall elect the chair of the State team by a majority vote.

    (e)    The Department shall provide staff for the State team.

    (f)    All members of the State team shall be voting members.

    (g)    (1)    Each member designated under subsection (c)(3) of this section shall serve on the State team for a term of 3 years and may be reappointed.

        (2)    At the end of a term, a member designated under subsection (c)(3) of this section continues to serve until a successor is appointed.

        (3)    All vacancies shall be filled by the designating authority in accordance with this section.

    (h)    A member of the State team:

        (1)    May not receive compensation for service on the State team; but

        (2)    Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

    (i)    To the extent that funds are available, the State team may hire staff or consultants to assist the State team in carrying out its duties.