SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House Mental Health & Addiction Committee unanimously passed a bill Thursday to improve access to suicide prevention services.

Sponsors said 988 information should be visible in county shelter care homes, daycares, public libraries, colleges, hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

The bill also requires school boards to include age-appropriate suicide prevention curriculum in health courses for students in sixth through 12th grade.

Advocates like Tammy Bush are committed to helping people of all ages know there is help available. The proposal is named Tammurra's Act in memory of Bush's daughter.

"If even one young person learns to ask for help before despair takes over, then this bill would have done its job," Bush said.

The Illinois Department of Corrections would also be tasked with providing suicide prevention resources to people leaving prison. 

This comes as more than 1,500 lives are lost to suicide in Illinois each year.

Senate Bill 2771 now heads to the House floor for further consideration. The measure previously passed out of the Senate on a 55-2 vote. 

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