Legislation to create a permanent statewide mental health hotline is advancing in Michigan.
The state House approved the bill 99-8 Tuesday and sent it to the Senate for further consideration.
The telephone referral system would be available 24 hours a day, seven days of week and would refer people experiencing a mental health crisis to service providers.
A spending law approved late last year includes $3 million to develop, operate and maintain a hotline pilot program. The new legislation is intended as a way to expand that program statewide.
The sponsor, Republican Rep. Mary Whiteford of Allegan County's Casco Township, says the hotline would help those who do not know where to turn — potentially keeping families together and saving lives.