KRS 40.312: Kentucky Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Suicide

Prevention Program -- Mission and purpose -- Annual report -- Administrative

regulations.

(1) The Kentucky Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Suicide Prevention

Program is hereby created within the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs and

shall be attached to the office of the commissioner for administrative purposes.

(2) The Kentucky Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Suicide Prevention

Program shall opera te in collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family

Services and in conjunction with additional community partnerships, as appropriate.

(3) The mission of the program shall be to raise awareness of and reduce death by

suicide within the population o f service members, veterans, and their families. The

program shall work to reduce barriers at the community and individual level that

increase the risk of suicide by increasing access to services and collaborating with a

statewide network of partners inclu ding state government agencies, community

partners, nonprofit organizations, federal partners, and individuals directly impacted

by risk of or loss from suicide.

(4) The program shall connect service members, veterans, and their families, whose

need for services is based upon their risk of death by suicide or other circumstances

as outlined by the program, with appropriate community and mental health

resources. The program shall:

(a) 1. Raise awareness of and access to behavioral health services and

resources, promote evidence-based best practices and safe messaging to

increase awareness of veteran suicide prevention hotlines and other

crisis resources, and connect service members, veterans, and their

families to trained mental health providers and appropria te community

resources; and

2. Advocate for service members, veterans, and their families at risk for

suicide, and work to increase public awareness about the issue of suicide

among veterans and its root causes;

(b) Provide support and guidance to communit ies aiding in the development of

strategic planning designed to reduce suicide among service members,

veterans, and their families, including the engagement and coordination of

local leadership, faith -based entities, schools, chambers of commerce, public

and private providers, grassroots coalitions, and additional stakeholders as

identified and appropriate. These efforts shall include but not be limited to the

promotion of mental health awareness, the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline created

in accordance with Pub. L. No. 116-172, the Green Alert under KRS 39F.180,

and local resources available to assist in crisis intervention and ongoing

supports; and

(c) Promote training opportunities and provide educational materials to

department and partnering agencies to increase the capacity to raise

awareness, identify, and engage service members, veterans, and their families

at risk of suicide.

(5) The department sh all submit an annual written report to the Governor and the

Legislative Research Commission by October 30 of each year. The report shall

include efforts made, data -driven information, and legislative and budgetary

barriers. The report shall be available to the public on the department's website.

(6) Notwithstanding any other statute to the contrary, nothing in this section shall

permit any state agency to seize or advocate for the seizure of weapons.

(7) The department shall promulgate administrative regula tions in accordance with

KRS Chapter 13A as necessary to effectuate this section.