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<ns0:Id>20250AB__154099INT</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>99</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-01-05</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
<ns0:MeasureType>AB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>1540</ns0:MeasureNum>
<ns0:MeasureState>INT</ns0:MeasureState>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Mark González</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Ward)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Coauthors: Assembly Members Elhawary, Jackson, Pellerin, and Solache)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Coauthors: Senators Pérez and Wiener)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Mark González</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Ward</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Elhawary</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Jackson</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Pellerin</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Solache</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Pérez</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Wiener</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title> An act to add Section 53123.7 to the Government Code, relating to mental health, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>mental health, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: LGBTQ+ youth.</ns0:Subject>
</ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing federal law, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, designates the 3-digit telephone number “988” as the universal number within the United States for the purpose of the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system operating through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law, the Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act, requires, among other things, the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to verify that technology that allows for transfers between 988 centers, as well as between 988 centers and 911 public safety answering points, is available to 988 centers and 911 public safety answering points throughout the state, to appoint a 988 system director, and to verify interoperability between and across 911 and 988.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require OES to, no
later than July 1, 2027, ensure that technology enabling transfers between 988 centers and a subnetwork of LGBTQ+ specialized youth suicide prevention service providers is available, as specified, and that callers may dial 988 and press “3” to be automatically routed to an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention specialist. The bill would also require OES to, no later than December 1, 2027, ensure that technologies enabling text or chat contacts between a caller and 988 centers or a specified subnetwork are available.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the California Health and Human Services Agency to, no later than July 1, 2027, administer a grant program for qualified entities that specialize in suicide prevention services and provide funding for state 988 call centers to implement specified goals. The bill would require the agency to determine the eligibility criteria, as prescribed, grant application process, and methodology for the distribution of grants to a qualified entity. The
bill would require a qualified entity to annually file an expenditure and outcomes report, as specified, in a form and manner determined by the agency. The bill would establish the Protecting Suicide Prevention Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth Fund, to be administered by the agency, and would appropriate $5,000,000 from the General Fund to the Protecting Suicide Prevention Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth Fund for purposes of these provisions.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.</html:p>
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<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>TWO_THIRDS</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>YES</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>NO</ns0:LocalProgram>
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<ns0:ImmediateEffect>YES</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
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<ns0:Urgency>YES</ns0:Urgency>
<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
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<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_9BFFE69B-417E-42CC-8B20-15E7DC257230">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
All children, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, deserve to live a full and happy life without suffering from bullying and mental health crises.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Attacks on the rights, safety, and dignity of LGBTQ+ youth continue to grow across the country, including in California. These efforts have a measurable impact on the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth and have led to a rise in bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
LGBTQ+ youth have increased reported instances of bullying, hate crimes, and
harassment than compared to their heterosexual or cisgender peers.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The latest national survey on the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth in California found that 56 percent of LGBTQ+ youth in California experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity in the past year.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A longitudinal study published in 2025 reported that mental health distress among LGBTQ+ youth has been increasing amid a surge of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, but strong support networks and access to health care were shown to ease symptoms for some.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
That study found mental health distress increased substantially throughout the study’s first year. LGBTQ+ youth reporting recent anxiety symptoms rose from 57 percent to 68 percent. Those reporting depressive symptoms climbed from 48 percent to 54
percent. Suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ youth grew from 41 percent to 47 percent.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Another 2025 study found that most LGBTQ+ people, and especially transgender and nonbinary respondents, reported anti-LGBTQ+ laws and rhetoric has negatively impacted their mental health and well-being. Additionally, a majority of LGBTQ+ people and more than 8 in 10 transgender and nonbinary individuals reported they or their families have faced harassment or discrimination since November 2024.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A 2023 study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual students were more than three times more likely to have attempted suicide than their heterosexual peers: that number jumps to almost four times as likely for transgender high school students. In other words, 20 percent of surveyed students who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual reported
having attempted suicide compared to 6 percent of their heterosexual peers. This figure jumps to nearly 26 percent for transgender high school students.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(h)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Research by The Trevor Project also indicates that LGBTQ+ students often struggle to access competent mental health services tailored to their unique experiences.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that schools were the third most commonly known location for hate crimes against LGBTQ+ youth and community members, and that hate crimes more than doubled at elementary and secondary schools and universities from 2018 to 2022, inclusive. The FBI also noted that participation in the collection of the aforementioned data regarding hate crime reports in schools is voluntary for most agencies and is only mandatory for federal agencies; therefore, the figures provided in the FBI’s report are likely incomplete and
underreported.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(j)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Since 2022, 988, the nation’s official hotline for suicide prevention and crisis counseling, has collaborated with several nonprofit organizations that offer specialized services designed to prevent LGBTQ+ youth suicide. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program allowed youth who called “988” to press “3” and automatically be routed to a subnetwork of providers.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(k)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Since 2022, 1,500,000 contacts were routed to the LGBTQ+ service provider subnetwork.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(l)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
By order of President Donald Trump on June 17, 2025, all funding for LGBTQ+ youth services Press 3 option was halted. This service officially ended on July 17, 2025. The ending of this service has resulted in chaos, with youth in crisis lacking a centralized suicide prevention
resource.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_09406DD2-EB59-421E-8DA2-D760A99E130A">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Section 53123.7 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_89580891-755A-4630-AE9C-358358F3F6C2">
<ns0:Num>53123.7.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_CCA8A15C-AD86-44EE-B869-8994B3F9D5B5">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is the intent of the State of California to continue its long history of advancing policies that support suicide prevention efforts and further the initiative to address our youth mental health crisis. Young LGBTQ+ Californians have benefited from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program since 2022. It is the intent of the Legislature to reinstate this program in California.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Office of Emergency Services shall ensure both of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
No later than July 1, 2027, that technology enabling transfers between 988 centers and a subnetwork of LGBTQ+ specialized youth suicide prevention service providers is available to 988
centers and 911 public safety answering points in California. The office shall ensure that callers may dial 988 and press “3” to be automatically routed to an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention specialist.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
No later than December 1, 2027, that technologies enabling contact through text or chat features between a caller and 988 centers or a subnetwork for LGBTQ+ specialized youth suicide prevention service providers are available.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
There is hereby created in the State Treasury the Protecting Suicide Prevention Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth Fund, to be administered by the California Health and Human Services Agency. The sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to be deposited into the Protecting Suicide Prevention Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth Fund for purposes of this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
No later than July 1, 2027, the agency shall do both of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Administer a grant program for qualified entities, as set forth in subdivision (d), that specialize in suicide prevention services.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Provide funding for state 988 call centers to implement the goals of this section, including, but not limited to, the administrative cost of implementation and staffing of statewide and regional 988 centers and the effective routing of contacts, including, but not limited to, calls, texts, and chats.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), a qualified entity for the grant program shall be determined by the agency pursuant to the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The
agency shall determine the eligibility criteria, grant application process, and methodology for the distribution of grants to a qualified entity. The agency’s eligibility requirements shall include, but are not limited to:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The applicant shall be capable of complying with current minimum application requirements maintained and set forth by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or the entity contracted by SAMHSA to administer the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The applicant maintains policies that include:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
No requirement for a caller to provide name, age or date of birth, gender, race or ethnicity, citizenship status, or any other identifying information to receive crisis intervention services.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A prohibition against sharing identifying information outside of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, including with private donors and the federal government, except as required by law.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Strict user tenets that comply with Section 56.109 of the Civil Code and Section 819 of the Penal Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The applicant’s primary objective is to reduce suicide rates or address mental health crises. The agency shall prioritize applicants that primarily service LGBTQ+ populations.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The applicant demonstrates that its mission includes serving the LGBTQ+ population or that it employs staff or volunteers who have completed extensive training in responding to LGBTQ+ crisis contacts in a culturally competent manner. The applicant ensures that dedicated trained staff or volunteers are available to respond to
those contacts through an established routing system.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The applicant has the capability to report metrics, including information about the number of contacts, length of contacts, and any other metric the agency deems appropriate.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The agency shall also take into consideration whether the applicant is or was previously a part of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A qualified entity that is eligible to receive grants pursuant to this section shall include counties, city mental health authorities, tribal entities, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations, nonprofits, and behavioral health providers. The agency shall prioritize applicants that are based in California and have established connections to law enforcement, mobile crisis response units,
or the agency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The agency shall require a qualified entity to annually file an expenditure and outcomes report in a form and manner determined by the agency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The expenditure and outcomes report shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The total budget.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Number and job classification of personnel.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The number of contacts served.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The outcome for individuals served, if known.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Beginning July 1, 2027, to the extent feasible, measures of system performance, including capacity, wait times, and
the ability to meet demand for services.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of implementing this article, the agency may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis, and may implement changes to existing information technology systems. Notwithstanding any other law, contracts entered into or amended, or changes to existing information technology systems, pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.
</html:p>
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<ns0:BillSection id="id_861E324E-DC39-4FC8-A9BA-FFA2D9F1E6A3">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:</html:p>
<html:p>In order to address the urgent LGBTQ+ youth suicide crisis we face in California, it is necessary for this act to take effect immediately.</html:p>
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