Minn. Lawmakers Discuss Text Suicide Hotline

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota lawmakers are considering setting up a statewide text message suicide prevention program.

The proposal would establish a prevention text line that people who need help can contact to get emergency contact information. It would also provide training in schools and communities about how to use the new program.

Rep. Mike Sundin, an Esko Democrat, has the bill, which the House Health and Human Services Policy committee is set to take up Wednesday.

The state would fund the program, but the bill doesn't yet state how much it would need in funding.

After receiving a $1.4 million federal grant to set up a text hotline, Carlton County officials said last year they got as many text messages from teens in a day as they used to get in a month.

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