The bill aims to enhance the funding for the statewide 988 behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention line by increasing the associated tax rates. It amends existing laws to establish a tiered tax structure for various communication lines, including radio access lines, interconnected voice over internet protocol service lines, and switched access lines. The tax rates will increase incrementally, starting from 40 cents per line from January 1, 2023, to 80 cents per line by July 1, 2027. The bill also emphasizes the importance of these funds in improving crisis response services and reducing reliance on emergency services and law enforcement.

Additionally, the bill creates a new section that prioritizes the efficient routing of calls to appropriate crisis centers and mandates that expenditures from the newly established account be directed towards fully funding the operation of 988 crisis hotline centers. It specifies that 10% of the annual tax receipts must be allocated for grants and performance payments to mobile rapid response crisis teams, with a focus on supporting teams affiliated with tribes in Washington. The bill ensures that the funds cannot be used to replace general fund appropriations for behavioral health services or Medicaid-covered services.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 82.86.020, 82.86.050