HB2488 Summary

• Requires the Department of Health Services to compile an annual report on veteran suicides in Arizona beginning January 1, 2020, including current year deaths and five-year historical trends.

• Report must analyze veteran suicide rates by demographic factors (race, ethnicity, age, gender, region), mechanisms of suicide, drugs used, and comparison to national and regional rates.

• Department must conduct analysis of years of potential life lost, regional distribution patterns, and medical history correlations using data from the Department of Veterans' Services and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.

• All data used to create the report is confidential, not subject to subpoena, discovery, or use in civil or criminal proceedings, and cannot contain personal identifiers.

• Department of Health Services must provide the annual report to the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, Department of Veterans' Services, and Secretary of State.