Plain English Breakdown
The bill states local governments 'may use' the designs; it does not mandate their installation.
State Bridges and Overpasses Suicide Prevention
This law requires the Department of Transportation to create a list of approved safety barrier designs that local governments may use on state bridges.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the Department of Transportation to work with public health officials and impacted local leaders when updating guidance documents by July 1, 2028.
- Orders the creation and maintenance of a set of preapproved safety barrier designs for suicide prevention starting on or before July 1, 2029.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Department of Transportation
- Impacted local governments
Terms To Know
- Suicide deterrent considerations
- Ideas included in guidance documents to help prevent suicide on bridges.
- Preapproved designs
- Safety barrier plans that the Department of Transportation has checked and allowed for use by local governments.
Limits and Unknowns
- The text does not say how much money will be used to build these barriers.
- It is unclear which specific bridges must get the new safety designs first.
- The bill states that local governments may use the approved designs, but it does not explain what happens if they choose not to.