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 start at 40 cents per line from January 1, 2023, and will gradually increase to 80 cents by July 1, 2027. The bill also emphasizes the importance of providing adequate funding to improve crisis response services and reduce 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 statewide 988 behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention line account focus on fully funding the operation of these 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 portion dedicated to teams affiliated with tribes in Washington. The bill ensures that funds from this account 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