Governor Signs Kayla’s HOPE Act for Suicide Prevention

(KNSI) — A bill aimed at preventing suicides on tall public structures has been signed into law by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

The Kayla’s HOPE Act establishes a process for identifying high-risk structures and determining where safety measures, such as barriers, should be installed.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education says research shows such interventions are effective at reducing suicide deaths at known locations, and a one-minute delay may be enough to prevent someone from jumping.

The bill is named for Kayla Gaebel, whose mother, MJ Weiss Blair, has been a leading advocate for suicide prevention in public infrastructure. Weiss Blair helped secure $8 million in state funding for deterrent measures on a high-risk public structure in Minnesota. On November 9th, 2023, Kayla died by suicide at the Washington Avenue Bridge.

“For families like ours, this is about making sure no other family has to endure what we have endured,” said Weiss Blair. “Kayla’s life mattered, and her legacy is helping to create change that will save lives not just in Minnesota, but across the country.”

The Minnesota Department of Transportation worked with suicide prevention organization SAVE to help develop the bill’s framework.

“The unanimous passage of Kayla’s HOPE Act is a profound statement by the Minnesota Legislature that suicide is preventable and that we must use every tool available to protect lives,” said Erich Mische, CEO of SAVE – Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. “Structural barriers on bridges save lives. This legislation, created in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and SAVE, reflects the kind of bold, evidence-informed action that we have advocated for over two years, and we are proud to see it move forward with such broad, bipartisan support. We are grateful for the efforts of Rep. Bjorn Olson who led this effort in the House, and to Sen. Scott Dibble for his leadership in the Senate.”

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