A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts in this Commonwealth and make recommendations for improving existing prevention and data collection efforts.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aerion Abney and 43 co-sponsors

HR 584 directs a JSGC study to assess Pennsylvania’s suicide prevention programs and data systems, and to propose concrete improvements.

Referred to Human Services

Summary of HR 584 (2025-2026) - Pennsylvania

Purpose and intent

HR 584 is a House Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) to study suicide prevention and data collection efforts within Pennsylvania.

The goal is to evaluate current prevention programs and data systems and to formulate recommendations for improving prevention, response, and data collection related to suicide in the Commonwealth.

Key provisions and changes

Directive to study: The bill requires the JSGC to conduct a comprehensive review of state suicide prevention initiatives and the methods used to collect, manage, and analyze suicide-related data.

Recommendations: Based on the study, the JSGC must develop and submit concrete recommendations aimed at enhancing existing suicide prevention programs and the associated data collection efforts.

Scope of review (as implied by standard JSGC study resolutions):

Assess current suicide prevention programs across state agencies, local governments, health systems, schools, and community organizations.
Review data collection practices, including how suicides and suicidal behaviors are tracked, reported, and shared among agencies (public health, emergency services, education, criminal justice, and healthcare providers).
Identify gaps, duplications, and barriers to effective prevention and data reliability.
Consider best practices from other states or national standards for suicide prevention and data interoperability.

Reporting and timelines: As a Joint State Government Commission study resolution, the bill would typically require a final report with findings and recommendations to be transmitted to the General Assembly within a specified timeframe (the exact timeline is not stated in the provided text but would be dictated by the resolution’s scheduling once referred to committee).

Who or what would be affected

Government and public systems:

Joint State Government Commission (primary lead for the study).
State agencies involved in health, mental health services, education, public safety, and data management that handle suicide prevention programs and data.
Local governments and school systems indirectly, through alignment with recommended practices.

Stakeholders:

Mental health and suicide prevention organizations, healthcare providers, emergency medical services, schools, and nonprofits focused on suicide prevention.
Pennsylvania residents who may benefit from improved prevention strategies and more reliable data informing policy decisions.

Procedural and timeline considerations

Status: As of the latest action (July 6, 2026), HR 584 has been referred to the House Committee on Human Services.

Process: The bill initiates a study by the JSGC, followed by a formal report with recommendations to the General Assembly.

Next steps likely include committee review, potential amendments, and a reported resolution with the study findings and proposed policy options.

Practical implications

If adopted, the resolution would not create new mandatory programs or funding by itself but would pave the way for data-driven improvements in suicide prevention across Pennsylvania.

The resulting recommendations could influence future legislative or administrative actions, including funding, program expansion, cross-agency data sharing, and best-practice adoption.

This summary provides a clear overview of HR 584’s purpose, what it asks the JSGC to study, who is affected, and how the process would unfold. If you’d like, I can add a section outlining typical evaluation criteria the JSGC might use or draft a potential outline for the final report.