HB2542 Summary

• Department of Health Services shall annually compile a comprehensive report on veteran suicides in Arizona including suicide numbers, rates, historic trends, and demographic breakdowns by race, ethnicity, age, gender, and region.

• Report must analyze years of potential life lost, compare Arizona's veteran suicide rates to national and regional rates, and examine suicide mechanisms including drug poisoning patterns.

• Report shall include regional distribution analysis considering population density and utilization data from nonprofit veterans' services organizations providing suicide prevention services.

• Data used for the report must be linked with Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs records to inform suicide prevention strategies based on medical risk factors.

• Annual report must be submitted to the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, Department of Veterans' Services, and Secretary of State; all data remains confidential and cannot be subpoenaed or used in legal proceedings.