Association Executive Directors Community

In follow-up to Monday night's passage of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act and its movement now to the White House for President Trump's approval, we wanted to share with you a summary of the legislation and make clear the next step is at the state level.

As discussed on Tuesday's call, the National Council policy team will begin working with you and our federal colleagues and stakeholders on implementation of 9-8-8 and securing the needed support for safety net providers.

Designation of 9-8-8

• In accordance with the Federal Communications Commission, Congress recognizes 9-8-8 as the universal, three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

State Authority Over Fees:

• States have the authority to impose a fee on commercial mobile services or an IP-enabled voice service to finance 9-8-8 related services.
• The law prohibits waiving or blocking of this fee collection by the state.
• The fee may be collected to pay for:
• Expenses to run the hotline to ensure efficient and effective routing of calls made to 9-8-8 to appropriate crisis care centers or services;
• Personnel and the provision of acute mental health, crisis outreach and stabilization services by directly responding to the 9-8-8 hotline.

Report Due to Congress Post Enactment

• Fee Accountability Report: Two years after enactment, HHS will deliver a report to Congress detailing the fee imposition and collection status by state. The report will include the amount of revenue collected and expended to run and sustain 9-8-8.
• Training Programs Report: SAMHSA will deliver a report to Congress detailing a strategy to develop and implement cultural competency training programs to serve high-risk populations including those in the LGBTQ+ community, American Indian and Alaska Natives, individuals of color and individuals with lived experience.

Thank you.  Does the legislation say when the system is expected to begin?  In the past the state's done such things through statutes so it would be useful to know if it's something we should have in our agenda for the next state legislative session.

Thanks, 

GC

In follow-up to Monday night's passage of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act and its movement now to the White House for President Trump's approval, we wanted to share with you a summary of the legislation and make clear the next step is at the state level.

As discussed on Tuesday's call, the National Council policy team will begin working with you and our federal colleagues and stakeholders on implementation of 9-8-8 and securing the needed support for safety net providers.

Designation of 9-8-8

• In accordance with the Federal Communications Commission, Congress recognizes 9-8-8 as the universal, three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

State Authority Over Fees:

• States have the authority to impose a fee on commercial mobile services or an IP-enabled voice service to finance 9-8-8 related services.
• The law prohibits waiving or blocking of this fee collection by the state.
• The fee may be collected to pay for:
• Expenses to run the hotline to ensure efficient and effective routing of calls made to 9-8-8 to appropriate crisis care centers or services;
• Personnel and the provision of acute mental health, crisis outreach and stabilization services by directly responding to the 9-8-8 hotline.

Report Due to Congress Post Enactment

• Fee Accountability Report: Two years after enactment, HHS will deliver a report to Congress detailing the fee imposition and collection status by state. The report will include the amount of revenue collected and expended to run and sustain 9-8-8.
• Training Programs Report: SAMHSA will deliver a report to Congress detailing a strategy to develop and implement cultural competency training programs to serve high-risk populations including those in the LGBTQ+ community, American Indian and Alaska Natives, individuals of color and individuals with lived experience.

Thank you.  Does the legislation say when the system is expected to begin?  In the past the state's done such things through statutes so it would be useful to know if it's something we should have in our agenda for the next state legislative session.

Thanks, 

GC

In follow-up to Monday night's passage of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act and its movement now to the White House for President Trump's approval, we wanted to share with you a summary of the legislation and make clear the next step is at the state level.

As discussed on Tuesday's call, the National Council policy team will begin working with you and our federal colleagues and stakeholders on implementation of 9-8-8 and securing the needed support for safety net providers.

Designation of 9-8-8

• In accordance with the Federal Communications Commission, Congress recognizes 9-8-8 as the universal, three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

State Authority Over Fees:

• States have the authority to impose a fee on commercial mobile services or an IP-enabled voice service to finance 9-8-8 related services.
• The law prohibits waiving or blocking of this fee collection by the state.
• The fee may be collected to pay for:
• Expenses to run the hotline to ensure efficient and effective routing of calls made to 9-8-8 to appropriate crisis care centers or services;
• Personnel and the provision of acute mental health, crisis outreach and stabilization services by directly responding to the 9-8-8 hotline.

Report Due to Congress Post Enactment

• Fee Accountability Report: Two years after enactment, HHS will deliver a report to Congress detailing the fee imposition and collection status by state. The report will include the amount of revenue collected and expended to run and sustain 9-8-8.
• Training Programs Report: SAMHSA will deliver a report to Congress detailing a strategy to develop and implement cultural competency training programs to serve high-risk populations including those in the LGBTQ+ community, American Indian and Alaska Natives, individuals of color and individuals with lived experience.