Reyes Bill to Prevent and Deter Suicide in San Bernardino County Passes Senate Transportation Committee
(SACRAMENTO) — Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) today announced that her bill to prevent and deter suicide in San Bernardino County passed a key policy committee in the Senate. SB 800 was introduced in response to the tragic loss of two teenagers who by suicide along the 210 Freeway last year. The legislation is being sponsored by the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
“The rising number of suicide incidents from freeway overpasses is not only a profound tragedy for individuals and families but also a serious public safety concern for motorists, first responders, and the broader community,” Senator Reyes said. “With no statewide strategy to prevent and deter such tragedies in the future, we have an urgent responsibility to work across local and state governments to address them here at home.”
Senator Reyes continued, “No family, school, or community should have to endure such unimaginable grief. It is my sincere hope that these proposed solutions and resources will save precious lives in moments of crisis. I’m grateful to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for bringing this solution forward and to the parents of the children we recently lost for offering their support of this bill, especially during such a difficult period in their lives.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Senator Reyes for carrying SB 800 and continuing to shine a light on an issue that is critical not just for the City of Rancho Cucamonga, but for our region as a whole,” said L. Dennis Michael, Mayor of the City of Rancho Cucamonga. “This bill represents an important step forward, and we look forward to working closely with the Senator’s office to advance it through the legislative process and bring meaningful change to our community."
“I am deeply grateful to Senator Reyes for championing SB 800 and to the Senate Transportation Committee for passing this life-saving bill,” said Meena Furutan, sister of Shirin Connor Furutan “This legislation gives families like mine hope that others will be spared the tragedy we endured. SB 800 provides real, tangible tools – something Shirin didn't have – signs, barriers, and most importantly, a moment to pause – that could mean the difference between life and death.”
In the past year alone, multiple suicides and attempts have occurred along the 210 Freeway overpasses in San Bernardino County, including the heartbreaking loss of two high school students at the same location – just one and a half weeks apart from one another. While some attempts have been prevented every incident underscores the immediate need for intervention.
SB 800 would establish a pilot program requiring the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to install suicide deterrents on 10 freeway overpasses in San Bernardino County. The deterrents may include suicide prevention signage and physical barriers to prevent falls or intentional jumps that could result in death. In order to address the biggest losses, the bill prioritizes locations with the highest documented suicide rates over the past 20 years.
SB 800 passed the Senate Transportation Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support on April 28, and is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee in the coming weeks.
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Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Senate District 29, Colton, Fontana, Highland, Loma Linda, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Upland, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.
