§ 5–1103
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
(a)
Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a county or municipality may establish a multidisciplinary and multiagency suicide fatality review team.
(b)
Two or more counties may establish a single multicounty local team.
(c)
A multicounty local team shall execute a memorandum of understanding on membership, staffing, and operation.
(d)
The local team membership shall be drawn, if available, from the following individuals, organizations, agencies, and areas of expertise:
(1)
The county health officer, or the officer’s designee;
(2)
The director of the local department of social services, or the director’s designee;
(3)
The director of the local behavioral health authority or the director’s designee;
(4)
The superintendent of schools for the county, or the superintendent’s designee;
(5)
A State, county, or municipal law enforcement officer;
(6)
The director of behavioral health services in the county, or the director’s designee;
(7)
An emergency medical services provider in the county;
(8)
A representative of a hospital;
(9)
A health care professional who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health or behavioral health conditions;
(10)
A member of the public with interest or expertise in suicide prevention, appointed by the county health officer; and
(11)
Any other individual necessary for the work of the local team, recommended by the local team and appointed by the county health officer.
(e)
Each local team shall elect a chair from among its members.
(f)
Each local team shall:
(1)
Meet at least quarterly to:
(i)
Review the status of suicide fatality cases;
(ii)
Recommend actions to improve the coordination of services and investigations among agencies; and
(iii)
Recommend actions to relevant agencies to prevent suicide deaths;
(2)
Collect and maintain data as required by the State Team;
(3)
Ensure safe and secure storage for protected information and records held by the local team;
(4)
Provide any reports required by the State Team, including:
(i)
Reports on individual cases;
(ii)
Steps taken to improve coordination of services and investigations among agencies;
(iii)
Steps taken to implement the recommendations of local teams by applicable agencies; and
(iv)
Recommendations for changes to State and local law, policy, and practices designed to prevent suicide deaths;
(5)
Subject to § 5–1104(c) of this subtitle, coordinate with local child fatality review teams, and local drug overdose fatality review teams to ensure the efficiency of each local team’s operations;
(6)
Coordinate with the State Suicide Fatality Review Committee established under Subtitle 10 of this title, including to establish operating protocols; and
(7)
Operate subject to State and national standards, and subject to guidance issued by the State Suicide Fatality Review Committee.