John C. Ensslin

@bergenmatters

Governor 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.

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The bill — called the Madison Holleran Suicide Act — is named after a track and soccer player from Allendale who committed suicide in January 2014 while attending the University of Pennsylvania.

The measure passed both the Senate and Assembly with bi-partisan 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 e-mail no later than 15 days before the start of each semester.

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