AP reports that the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization of 2011 was introduced Wednesday in the U.S. Senate. Tribes are eligible for Garrett Lee Smith grants, through which the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funds efforts to prevent youth suicide.
The bill is sponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and co-sponsored by Senators Mark Begich (D-AK), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tom Udall (D-NM). Murkowski is a member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Native American Youth.
The original Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act became law in 2004. A short history of the Act can be found here.
