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Panel hears $300,000 ask for veteran suicide prevention grants; broad support from veterans groups
Summary
Senate Bill 95 would provide a one‑time $300,000 investment to DPHHS for veteran‑focused suicide prevention grants and programs; military, veterans, and nonprofit witnesses urged support, while one group urged emphasis on non‑drug treatments.
Senator Mike Yakawich opened the hearing on Senate Bill 95, summarizing the request as a one‑time $300,000 investment to support veteran suicide prevention programs administered by DPHHS. "We're asking $300,000 1 time ask," Yakawich said.
A broad set of proponents, including tribal leaders, the Montana National Guard, the Montana Veterans Affairs Division, the American Legion, NAMI Montana, Veterans Navigation Network and local suicide‑prevention coordinators, described gaps in services for veterans and urged the Legislature to invest in targeted, evidence‑based prevention efforts. Major General J. Peter Ronek (Montana National Guard) and the Veterans Affairs administrator said their agencies would collaborate with DPHHS to use grant funding for peer support, family programs and community outreach.
Proponents described grant plans that would award modest amounts (witnesses said grants in the neighborhood of $25,000 were anticipated for community groups) and would prioritize peer‑to‑peer support, lethal‑means safety (gun‑lock education), navigation services and provider education. The American Legion framed the request in stark terms: "Save 1 life. That's all we're asking for," one witness told the committee.
One opponent, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, argued the bill should emphasize non‑drug, non‑coercive treatments and cited concerns about psychiatric medication in suicide cases; the sponsor and other witnesses replied the bill focuses on prevention, peer support and evidence‑based approaches rather than drug treatment.
No committee vote occurred on SB 95 during the hearing; the sponsor urged the committee to carry the bill forward and noted the measure had been vetted by public health, finance and claims in prior steps.
