Establishes the rural suicide prevention council

Appointment authority for four council members was transferred from the Speaker of the Assembly and Temporary President of the Senate to the Governor.

New categories of members were added, including certified peers and rural community members with lived experience of mental health services.

Council meeting frequency was increased from at least twice annually to at least three times annually.

Reporting requirements were accelerated to include a preliminary report within nine months and a final report within eighteen months, replacing the previous annual/biennial schedule.

A new requirement was added for the council to assess the capacity of peer supports and mental health crisis services.

The council is now required to assess the use of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline in rural areas and identify strategies to increase its utilization.

The act was amended to expire two years after its effective date, after which its provisions will be automatically repealed.