101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2828

 

Introduced , by Rep. Anne Stava-Murray

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Suicide Depiction Warning Act. Requires a black box warning to be presented at the beginning of and periodically throughout the presentation of a fictional show that includes a depiction of suicide. Provides that the warning must disclose that suicide not only harms the person who dies, but also harms others.


LRB101 10616 JLS 55722 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2828LRB101 10616 JLS 55722 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Suicide Depiction Warning Act.
 
6    Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:
7    "Black box warning" means a video message in which the
8scene presented in the video is surrounded by a solid border
9that is clearly distinguishable by means of a solid color that
10contrasts, or sets off, the scene presented from the remainder
11of the presentation.
12    "Depiction" means the way that something is represented or
13shown.
14    "Depression" means a feeling of severe despondency and
15dejection.
16    "Suicide" means the act of killing one's self
17intentionally.
 
18    Section 10. Suicide depiction warning required.
19    (a) At the beginning of and periodically throughout the
20presentation of a fictional show that includes a depiction of
21suicide, the person presenting the show shall also present a
22black box warning that includes a suicide help line or other

 

 

HB2828- 2 -LRB101 10616 JLS 55722 b

1immediately available intervention resources for persons
2dealing with depression.
3    (b) The black box warning shall include the actor in the
4show portraying the character depicted as committing suicide.
5In the black box warning, the actor shall disclose the
6following that:
7        (1) the show is fictional; and
8        (2) suicide harms not only the person who dies, but
9    also countless others who love that person and who may also
10    be struggling with depression themselves.