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Connecting people considering suicide with immediate help is the aim of a proposed law that funds a 988 emergency number with a new tax on phone lines.

"There are a lot of great things about this legislation, but what it really boils down to is this crisis hotline will save lives," said Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), one of the bill's sponsors.

Putting someone who is having suicidal thoughts or is in the midst of a mental health crisis immediately in touch with a trained professional has been proven to be incredibly effective, Peterson said.

"This will also help reduce calls to 911, freei...