1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; requiring commissioner of transportation to study, 
1.3 	develop, and implement suicide prevention methods for construction of new 
1.4 	bridges; requiring a report; appropriating money;proposing coding for new law 
1.5 	in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 161.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [161.54] SUICIDE PREVENTION STUDY AND FEATURE 
1.8 	IMPLEMENTATION.
1.9 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The commissioner, in collaboration with the 
1.10 	commissioners of health and public safety, must study and evaluate the feasibility and 
1.11 	effectiveness and incorporation of suicide prevention barriers in the planning, design, 
1.12 	construction, and reconstruction of bridges across the state. The commissioner must develop 
1.13 	the study and recommendations in consultation with suicide prevention nonprofit 
1.14 	organizations operating in Minnesota.
1.15 		Subd. 2.Study requirements. (a) The study established in subdivision 1 must:
1.16 	(1) identify bridges in Minnesota with a history of suicide incidents or that pose a 
1.17 	significant risk for suicide based on location, height, and accessibility;
1.18 	(2) evaluate various types of suicide prevention barriers, including nets, physical barriers, 
1.19 	and other evidence-based methods, for their effectiveness, feasibility, and maintenance 
1.20 	requirements;
1.21 	(3) assess the costs of implementing suicide prevention barriers during construction of 
1.22 	new bridges and reconstruction and retrofitting of existing bridges;
2.1 	(4) develop criteria and a methodology for determining when and where suicide 
2.2 	prevention barriers should be incorporated into bridge projects;
2.3 	(5) identify and evaluate potential funding sources, including federal, state, and local 
2.4 	resources, for suicide prevention barrier implementation; and
2.5 	(6) seek input from key stakeholders, including:
2.6 	(i) the Department of Health regarding public health and mental health data;
2.7 	(ii) the Department of Public Safety regarding public safety and first responder 
2.8 	perspectives;
2.9 	(iii) Minnesota-based suicide prevention nonprofit organizations for their expertise and 
2.10 	lived experience insights; and
2.11 	(iv) local governments and communities affected by proposed projects.
2.12 	(b) The commissioner must complete the study by January 15, 2026.
2.13 		Subd. 3.Mandated implementation. (a) Beginning January 15, 2026, the commissioner 
2.14 	must mandate the incorporation of suicide prevention barriers or other methods identified 
2.15 	and recommended by the study completed in subdivision 2 for major bridge construction 
2.16 	and reconstruction projects undertaken by the Department of Transportation. The 
2.17 	commissioner must ensure that suicide prevention methods are considered and incorporated 
2.18 	in the statewide transportation improvement program and in the long-range transportation 
2.19 	plan.
2.20 	(b) Beginning January 15, 2027, and every odd-numbered year thereafter, the 
2.21 	commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
2.22 	committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance and policy. The report must detail 
2.23 	the commissioner's implementation of suicide prevention methods for bridge construction 
2.24 	and reconstruction projects, identify projects where suicide prevention methods were 
2.25 	employed, and provide feedback from interested stakeholders and local communities affected 
2.26 	by proposed projects.

2.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.28 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.29 	$750,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
2.30 	of transportation for the purposes of suicide prevention study and planning processes under 
2.31 	Minnesota Statutes, section 161.54.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until 
2.32 	June 30, 2028.