Lawmakers said they rejected the bill, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Karlen, because a statewide suicide prevention program and coordinator is already in place.
Gov. Greg Gianforte recently gave $2.1 million to the Rural Behavioral Health Institute to fund a school screening initiative similar to the one proposed in the bill.
Montana currently has one of the highest suicide rates in the country and has a youth suicide rate that is double the national average, according to the report.
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