A bill aiming to lower Montana's suicide rate by requiring training for health care providers has narrowly passed through a House committee.

Democratic Rep. Ed Lieser of Whitefish presented the measure before the House Business and Labor Committee on Friday. The committee voted 10-9 to pass the bill.

House Bill 568 would require certain licensed health care professionals to take courses related to suicide prevention.

Montana has been ranked in the top five for suicide rates in the nation for the past 40 years. The bill heads next to the House floor for consideration.

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