Suicide hotline funds included in state budget

BOISE (AP) — Legislative budget writers have set aside $110,000 for Idaho to start a suicide prevention hotline.

Republican Sen. Mitch Toryanski of Boise serves on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and says funding for the service has been a long time coming. Idaho is currently the only state without its own suicide prevention hotline.

Toryanski says the money set aside by JFAC on Thursday should get the program started. Lawmakers are hopeful that once the hotline gets up and running, Idaho will be able to secure private grants to help with the ongoing funding.

The plan still needs approval in the House and Senate.

Idaho lost its suicide hotline in 2007 after the service lost its nonprofit status and couldn't get funding.