Craig Zucker (D-Montgomery), the bill’s Senate sponsor, said Monday that Tommy’s death was the impetus behind the bill’s drafting. “I know that countless lives will be saved because of the law that now bears your son’s name,” he said.Īccording to 211 Maryland’s Needs Dashboard, the hotline received 20,050 calls for mental health services and 10,991 for suicide and crisis prevention between Jan. Hogan thanked Raskin for “channeling grief” to bring mental health awareness to the forefront. He gave the pen he used to enact the bill to Raskin, who was unable to attend the bill signing ceremony. Hogan said that he was “proud to sign” the legislation honoring the congressman’s son into law as the first bill of the year. “Governor Hogan, I’m moved and honored that this was the first bill that was signed this year, and I’m moved to think that we have a state that has worked together across party lines … to focus on emotional and mental health,” Raskin said. (R) for his gesture in making the bill honoring his son’s legacy the first to be signed into law after the legislature adjourned. Raskin, standing in front of the State House where he used to serve as a Montgomery County senator, thanked Gov. Quinton Askew, president and CEO of 211 Maryland, said that anyone interested in the program for themselves or their loved ones can sign up early by texting “Health check” to 211631. The legislation will also connect callers with crisis services if needed. The Thomas Bloom Raskin Act, named after Raskin’s son who died by suicide on New Year’s Eve, will establish voluntary mental health check-ins from trained and accredited mental health professionals through the state’s 211 system. “And so, my family is just really happy that Tommy has been honored in this way.” “We live in a state that cares about each and every young person out there and we don’t want to lose anybody else,” Raskin said. Lawmakers crossed the aisle and shared emotional embraces Monday morning, as they commemorated the enactment of a mental health services expansion bill named in memory of U.S. Malcolm Augustine (D-Prince George’s), among other lawmakers. Raskin was joined by (L-R) Quinton Askew, president and CEO of 211 Maryland, Del. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) speaks at a Monday morning ceremony commemorating the enactment of a mental health bill named in honor of his late son.

Sarah bloom raskin hannah grace raskin