The Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilities was called to order by Chairman Raymond D. Rawson, at 12:15 p.m., on Friday, March 12, 1999, in Room 2135 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman

Senator Maurice Washington, Vice Chairman

Senator Randolph J. Townsend

Senator Mark Amodei

Senator Bernice Mathews

Senator Michael Schneider

Senator Valerie Wiener

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

Senator Ann O’Connell, Clark County Senatorial District No. 5

Assemblywoman Gene Wines Segerblom, Clark County Assembly District

No. 22

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Patricia Di Domenico, Committee Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Chairman Rawson opened the meeting by introducing Senator Ann O’Connell, Clark County Senatorial District No. 5. Senator O’Connell testified Nevada‘s suicide rate is the highest in the country. She stated there were 272 suicides in Clark County in 1997 of which 10 were under the age of 19. Senator O’Connell said the scope of the problem warrants the attention of the legislature. Senator O’Connell introduced Linda Flatt, Community Organizer, Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (SPAN).

Ms. Flatt read from prepared testimony (Exhibit C) and urged the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) 11.

Ms. Flatt applauded Senator O’Connell for being the primary force in bringing S.C.R. 11 into existence and thanked others for their assistance. Ms. Flatt told the committee of landmark legislation that laid the groundwork for recognition of suicide as a serious national problem and suicide prevention as a national priority. She related her personal experiences as a mother whose son committed suicide and as a suicide survivor. Ms. Flatt pointed out the lack of community assistance available to her and her efforts to start a bereavement support group for survivors. She acknowledged her work with the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (SPAN) which advocates a proven, effective national strategy for suicide prevention. Ms. Flatt called attention to various newspaper articles and data (Exhibit D) indicating a serious problem exists in Nevada. Ms. Flatt identified and stressed the following: suicide can happen to ordinary people; suicide occurs almost twice as often in Nevada than the national average; resources are limited in our state for suicide prevention and bereavement support for survivors of suicide. She emphasized that it is necessary to increase suicide prevention efforts in Nevada.

Chairman Rawson invited additional testimony on S.C.R. 11.

Mary Wolery, Counselor, Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, told the committee about a suicide prevention program which could be a model for the state. She explained the suicide of Eric Marchant spurred his parents to contact community members and facilitated the creation of the yellow ribbon project. Ms. Wolery described the use of the yellow ribbon card, pages 3 and 4 of Exhibit E, as a tool a student can use when necessary.

Erin Granat, Student, Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, read from prepared testimony (Exhibit F) and stated suicide is becoming a major problem among teenagers. Ms. Granat talked about the numerous pressures teenagers face and the difficulty some have in coping with their problems. She stressed talking about suicide is helpful not detrimental. Ms. Granat described a suicide prevention program presented to the students at a recent assembly program, as reported in The Chronicle (Exhibit G), which moved many students to tears but also encouraged students to seek help from their counselors.

Heidi O’ Hair, Student, Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, read her testimony (Exhibit H), and expounded on the need for suicide prevention programs for students. She told the committee of friends and acquaintances who either committed or attempted suicide.

Ms. Wolery stated there are student-counseling programs in the schools but their resources are stretched very thin. Referring to page 4 of Exhibit E, she noted 3500 students in Grades 7 through 12 have participated in the yellow ribbon program for Douglas County at the cost of only $4500. Ms. Wolery emphasized the cost is small but the lifesavings are great. She encouraged the committee to pass S.C.R. 11 and look at funding to support other communities in forming suicide programs.

Chairman Rawson read Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 389.063:

Chairman Rawson commented during the discussion of the statute there was concern that placing too much emphasis on the issue might encourage suicide. He asked if students were receiving the mandated instruction on suicide prevention. Ms. Wolery affirmed that instruction was being provided to students once during their 12-year school career; during their high school years. She commented that this instruction should be administered earlier in their school career as a preventative measure. Ms. Wolery emphasized the importance of discussing suicide and dispelled the myth that it encourages people to commit suicide. She noted the yellow ribbon program includes training staff members at school, public health facilities, and students. Chairman Rawson asked if there was a common denominator in the cause of suicide. Ms. Wolery replied, generally it is the accumulation of problems and then the final straw is reached when there is so much pain that the individual can see no other alternative but suicide.

Senator Wiener questioned if family resource centers are a helpful outlet to educate whole families with this problem. Ms. Wolery answered affirmatively. She responded in Douglas County the Family Resource Center includes suicide prevention in their parent education program. Senator Washington applauded the yellow ribbon program and shared his experiences counseling teenagers.

Cindy Marchant, Concerned Citizen, delivered a moving and emotional testimony as the mother of Eric Marchant, her son, who at the age of 13 committed suicide. She said that after her son’s death she discovered there was limited information available about suicide. Mrs. Marchant stated she used the money sent to her after her son’s suicide as seed money to start a yellow ribbon program. She related the emotional experience felt by students and faculty at the school assemblies where personal experiences were shared.

Jill Smith, Esq., Director of Advocacy, Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center, testified as a suicide survivor. She applauded S.C.R. 11 and Senator O’Connell for her insight in introducing this important resolution. Ms. Smith pointed out the increase in suicide amongst the elderly. She emphasized the need to focus on suicide prevention and eliminating the needless suicides in Nevada.

Terri A. Greenfield, Community Organizer, Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (SPAN), testified as an advocate for suicide prevention and a suicide survivor. She stated suicide has a devastating effect on family and friends. Ms. Greenfield urged the committee to support S.C.R. 11.

Joyce A. Newman, Lobbyist, Concerned Citizen, testified as a suicide survivor and emphasized the need for education and help for families that survive suicide. She applauded and voiced her support of S.C.R. 11.

Edward M. Atchison M.A., Coordinator, United States Community-Based Outreach Clinic for Homeless Veterans, Las Vegas, requested the inclusion of his letter supporting S.C.R. 11 (Exhibit I).

Chairman Rawson closed the hearing on S.C. R. 11.

SENATOR WIENER MOVED TO DO PASS S.C.R. 11.

SENATOR SCHNEIDER SECONDED THE MOTION.

Chairman Rawson recommended S.C.R. 11 be presented on the Senate Floor.

THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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Chairman Rawson referred to (Exhibit J) as a proposed amendment to Senate Joint Resolution (S.J.R.) 8 and called for a motion.

SENATOR WASHINGTON MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS S.J.R. 8.

SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.

THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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Chairman Rawson opened the hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 73 and introduced Assemblywoman Gene Wines Segerblom, Clark County Assembly District No. 22.

Assemblywoman Segerblom explained Assembly Bill (A.B.) 29 of the Sixty-ninth Session was passed in the last legislative session but there are changes that need to be made.

Assemblywoman Segerblom introduced Richard J. Panelli, Chief, Bureau of Licensure and Certification, State Health Division, Department of Human Resources, who read from prepared testimony (Exhibit K) and testified on behalf of the Department of Resources. He stated A.B. 73 was a housekeeping bill that replaces the words "health authority" with the word "board." Chairman Rawson questioned whether it was really a housekeeping bill. Mr. Panelli affirmed that A.B. 73 was for housekeeping purposes only. He explained this would make the bill consistent with the Nevada Revised Statutes, which allows the State Board of Health to adopt rules and regulations. He indicated counties with less than 400,000 population have a District Board of Health and the health authority applies to counties with more than 400,000 population. The word "board" applies to the State Board of Health in NRS 450B.060. Mr. Panelli explained this allows the State Board of Health to adopt regulations for Washoe County and all other counties. He said Clark County would be able to adopt its own regulations. Chairman Rawson asked if it allows for counties to establish a fee and if this was a new regulation. Mr. Panelli replied the counties had the ability to establish fees in the past.

Chairman Rawson closed the hearing on A.B. 73.

SENATOR MATHEWS MOVED TO DO PASS AND PLACE ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR A.B. 73.

SENATOR SCHNEIDER SECONDED THE MOTION.

Senator Washington explained his opposition to the original bill.

THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR WASHINGTON VOTED NO.)

Chairman Rawson opened the hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 68.

Ben Graham, Lobbyist, Nevada District Attorneys’ Association, testified in support of Assembly Bill 68. He explained in the last few years there has been an increasing problem obtaining records of children while investigating cases of neglect or abuse. Mr. Graham said this might be the result of hospital mergers and hospitals felt unprotected if they complied. He noted the bill would allow hospitals to reveal the results of new tests to authorities without the fear of reprisals. Senator Washington asked if this would speed up the investigative process. Mr. Graham answered in the affirmative. He added it was the original purpose of the bill and has facilitated investigations and made them more expeditious. Mr. Graham mentioned A.B. 68 would bring new technology under the same expedited process.

May S. Shelton, Director, Social Services, Washoe County, also representing the Clark County Department of Family and Youth Services, voiced support of A.B. 68. She stated A.B. 68 would provide language clarification and therefore avoid legal ramifications.

James F. Nadeau, Captain, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, also representing the Nevada Sheriff and Chief’s Association, voiced support of A.B. 68.

Chairman Rawson closed the hearing on A.B. 68.

SENATOR MATHEWS MOVED TO DO PASS AND PLACE ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR A.B. 68.

SENATOR WIENER SECONDED THE MOTION.

THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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The meeting was adjourned at 1:06 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Patricia Di Domenico,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman

DATE: