This bill establishes a framework for the administration of lifeline centers in Minnesota to respond to 988 contacts, which are communications made to the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. The commissioner of health is tasked with overseeing these centers, ensuring they meet operational and clinical standards, and facilitating collaboration with various mental health and crisis response services. The bill also introduces a 988 special revenue account funded by a 988 telecommunications fee and a prepaid wireless 988 fee, which will be used to support the operation and maintenance of the 988 crisis system.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the commissioner to engage in rulemaking to enhance information sharing among crisis response systems and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on the usage of the 988 hotline. It appropriates $8 million for fiscal year 2024 and $4 million for fiscal year 2025 to support the operation of these lifeline centers. The bill amends several sections of Minnesota Statutes to incorporate these changes, including the introduction of new definitions and requirements related to the 988 hotline and lifeline centers.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 403.161, 403.162