Bill would create a Department of Health psychological-autopsy role to review suicides and overdoses

Representative Hefner introduced House Bill 3901, which would establish a psychological-autopsy function housed at the Department of Health to conduct retrospective reviews of certain suicides and overdoses. The sponsor said these reviews would include interviews with family and acquaintances (on a voluntary basis), review of medical and mental-health records and an examination of stressors and behavioral changes to inform prevention strategies.

Lawmakers asked whether family participation would be voluntary and whether the position would have subpoena power. Hefner said participation would be voluntary and that the role is intended to help families and gather insights for prevention, not to compel testimony. Members also asked about placement of the position inside state agencies; the sponsor described institutional reasons to house the function at the Department of Health (analogous to child-death review processes) rather than inside the Department of Mental Health, and said the Department of Health has the structure to perform these reviews.

On costs, Hefner said she had not yet received a House fiscal impact but described the role as a likely single full-time position and gave an approximate initial estimate "under $250,000," while acknowledging the need for a formal fiscal analysis. Committee members discussed that similar positions exist in other states (Utah and at least one Northwest example were mentioned) and said uptake may be slow but could grow as families and stakeholders see value.

The committee recorded a vote of 5 yays, 0 nays and reported House Bill 3901 out of committee.