Maryland counties are supporting legislation to establish local suicide fatality review teams, a collaborative approach to examining suicide deaths and developing prevention recommendations at the county level.
HB 1012 Overview
The Maryland Association of Counties submitted testimony in support of HB 1012, a bill that authorizes local governments to establish suicide fatality review teams to examine suicide deaths at the local level and develop prevention recommendations. On February 24, MACo’s Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified to the Health Committee supporting the measure. The bill was subsequently heard in the Finance Committee on March 24, where MACo again submitted written testimony in support.
Team Composition and Approach
The local fatality review teams would bring together health officers, behavioral health providers, social services, law enforcement, educators, hospitals, and community representatives. These multidisciplinary teams would examine suicide deaths, identify systemic gaps, and develop actionable recommendations to prevent future tragedies. The bill allows for flexibility in multi-county collaboration, which is particularly important for rural and smaller jurisdictions.
County Leadership Role
Counties are positioned on the front lines of behavioral health services, crisis response, and emergency medical services. HB 1012 empowers local jurisdictions to bring partners together in a structured and collaborative manner to better understand the circumstances surrounding suicide deaths and identify opportunities for prevention. This evidence-informed approach offers a structured path toward stronger coordination and more effective prevention efforts statewide.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://conduitstreet.mdcounties.org/2026/02/26/counties-embrace-collaborative-approach-to-strengthening-behavioral-health-services-and-crisis-response/