Summary
Funds crisis centers to provide follow-up care for people in crisis and makes it easier for everyone, including those with inactive phones, to call or text 9-8-8.
What problem does this solve?
People who contact suicide hotlines may not get the continued support they need, and some phone systems can't easily connect to the 9-8-8 number. This bill gives money to crisis centers for follow-up support and requires phone companies to ensure calls and texts to 9-8-8 always go through.
Who does this affect?
- Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis
- Suicide and crisis hotline centers
- Telecommunication companies
What does this bill do?
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 520E-5
Header:
Follow-up services to individuals receiving suicide prevention and crisis...
Creates grants for follow-up services
Authorizes $30 million for fiscal year 2027 to be given as grants to crisis centers. This money will be used to provide follow-up care to people who have used suicide prevention services.
Requires all mobile phones to connect to 9-8-8
Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make rules ensuring that all mobile service providers transmit calls and texts to 9-8-8, even from phones without an active service plan.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 3(c)
Header:
Configuration of multi-line telephone systems for direct dialing
Ensures direct dialing to 9-8-8 from office and hotel phones
Updates rules for multi-line telephone systems (like those in offices or hotels) to ensure people can dial 9-8-8 directly without needing to dial an extra number to get an outside line first.
What is the real world impact?
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Strengthens the mental health crisis system
Provides funding for crisis centers to offer follow-up care, which helps ensure individuals don't fall through the cracks after an initial crisis call. It also closes technical loopholes to make the 9-8-8 number more reliable and accessible for everyone.
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Implementation may face delays
Requires phone companies and multi-line phone systems to update their technology, but gives them up to two years to comply. Older systems that can't be updated without new hardware or software are exempt, potentially leaving gaps in access in some buildings.
When does this start?
This bill sets several different deadlines for its rules to take effect.
FCC rules for mobile access to 9-8-8
The Federal Communications Commission must create new rules within 270 days of the bill becoming law.
Mobile provider compliance deadline
Mobile service providers must comply with the new FCC rules within one year after the rules are created.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 3(c)(2)(A)
Header:
Configuration of multi-line telephone systems for direct dialing
Direct dialing from multi-line phones
The requirement for multi-line phone systems (like in offices) to allow direct dialing to 9-8-8 applies two years after the bill becomes law.
Grant funding authorization
Authorizes $30,000,000 in funding for crisis center grants for the fiscal year 2027.