9–8–8 Connect Act

This bill would create a federal grant program for crisis centers in the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline network to provide follow-up services, such as check-ins and referrals, to people who contact 9-8-8 and are identified as at risk. Crisis centers could provide follow-up only after getting the person's informed consent, and could not share personally identifiable information with third parties without written consent, except as required by law. It would authorize $30 million for fiscal year 2026 for the grants. The bill would also require the Federal Communications Commission to issue rules requiring mobile carriers to transmit all calls and texts to 9-8-8, including from phones without active service. It would require multi-line telephone systems to allow direct dialing of 9-8-8, starting two years after enactment.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Alex Padilla Democrat sponsor
• 5 cosponsors