The bill establishes a new chapter in the General Laws titled "CORE STATE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES SYSTEMS," which includes provisions for the creation and operation of a 988 crisis center that will provide crisis intervention services 24/7. The chapter defines key terms related to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, including "988," "988 administrator," "988 contact," and "behavioral health crisis services." It mandates that the designated 988 crisis center meet program requirements and best practices for operational, performance, and clinical standards, and requires the center to provide data and participate in evaluations as directed by the 988 administrators.

The bill emphasizes the need for active collaboration and coordination between the designated 988 crisis center and various mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers, community mental health centers, mobile crisis teams, and emergency departments. It also requires the center to provide follow-up services and to ensure culturally and linguistically competent care for at-risk populations.

Additionally, the bill amends the E-911 Emergency Telephone Number Act to introduce a combined monthly surcharge of fifty cents ($0.50) for both E-911 services and the 988 suicide lifeline. This surcharge will be levied on commercial landline, mobile service, prepaid wireless voice service, and interconnected voice over Internet protocol service lines. The funds collected from the surcharges will be allocated to separate restricted accounts for the operation of the E-911 system and the 988 suicide lifeline, covering various operational needs such as equipment maintenance, personnel costs, and training for emergency service personnel. The legislation aims to integrate the 988 lifeline into the existing E-911 framework, thereby enhancing the state's overall behavioral health crisis response system.

Statutes affected:
6128: 39-21.1-14