TRENTON, N.J. _ New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Monday signed into law a suicide prevention bill requiring New Jersey colleges and universities to provide 24-hour/7-day-a-week assistance to students who might be at-risk of taking their own life.
The bill _ called the Madison Holleran Suicide Act _ is named after a track and soccer player who committed suicide in January 2014 while attending the University of Pennsylvania.
The measure passed both the Senate and Assembly with bipartisan support. It requires colleges to have individuals trained in mental health issues and focused on suicide prevention available to students on a round-the-clock basis.
College officials also must notify students of that service via email no later than 15 days before the start of each semester.
