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.

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. Existing law establishes the 988 State Suicide and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Fund and provides that 988 surcharge revenue in the fund is available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of the act.

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.

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 specify that moneys in the 988 State Suicide and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Fund are available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of these provisions. The bill would provide that a qualified entity selected, contracted, or funded under these provisions is recognized as part of California’s 988 network for all state administrative, operational, and interoperability purposes when receiving or responding to a 988 call, text, or chat routed through 988.

This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.