March 9, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lynette Maselli
304.357.7809
Lynette.Maselli@wvsenate.gov

UNGER PLEASED WITH PASSAGE OF JAMIES LAW

CHARLESTON, W.V. Senate Minority Whip John Unger (D-Berkeley) says hes pleased
with the passage of House Bill 2535 (HB 2535) that deals with suicide prevention training.
HB 2535 is the direct result of work last year by the Joint Committee on Children and Families
that I co-chaired with Delegate Linda Longstreth (D-Marion), who sponsored this bill, says
Unger. This bill ensures middle schools, high schools and colleges provide suicide prevention
education. Im pleased the bill passed in a rare moment of bipartisanship.
HB 2535, also known as Jamies Law, also requires some health care professionals to obtain
continuing education in suicide prevention.
In 2013, suicide was the second leading cause of death among West Virginians ages 10-34.
The Senate version of the bill, sponsored by Senate Minority Whip Unger, says passage of
Jamies Law breaks the silence around suicide.
HB 2535 passed the Senate unanimously. It now heads to the Governor for his signature.

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