Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to require the Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation to conduct a study and implement suicide prevention methods in the planning, design, and construction of new bridges across the state. This initiative aims to reduce the risk of suicides on bridges through effective preventative measures.

Main Provisions

• Study and Evaluation: The Commissioner of Transportation, in collaboration with health and public safety commissioners, must study the feasibility and effectiveness of various suicide prevention barriers for bridges. This includes considering options like nets, physical barriers, and other evidence-based methods.

• Criteria Development: The study will develop criteria and methods to decide when and where to integrate suicide prevention barriers in bridge projects.

• Funding Identification: The study will also identify potential funding sources from federal, state, and local resources for implementing these suicide prevention measures.

• Stakeholder Input: Input from the Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, and Minnesota-based suicide prevention nonprofits will be sought to gather public health data and insights based on lived experiences.

• Completion and Reporting: The study is to be completed by January 15, 2026, and implementation of the recommended measures must begin on this date. The Commissioner is required to report on the progress to legislative committees biennially, starting January 15, 2027.

Significant Changes

The bill proposes adding new legal requirements to the Minnesota Statutes, specifically focusing on integrating suicide prevention measures into the infrastructure planning and development process. This would be a new legal obligation for the Department of Transportation, embedding mental health considerations directly within transportation planning.

Relevant Terms

• Suicide prevention
• Bridges
• Barriers
• Feasibility study
• Implementation
• Public health
• Mental health
• Transportation infrastructure