988 Crisis Response State Legislation Map

With 988 available nationwide, it is up to states to ensure there are crisis services—24/7 local crisis call centers, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization options—so 988 callers receive the help they need.

Model state legislation is available for policymakers and advocates to change the way their community responds to people in a mental health crisis. The model legislation also includes a new funding mechanism for states to create a monthly fee on all phone lines—similar to how communities fund 911—to ensure that 988 funding is sustainable and that these emergency services will not experience any funding gaps. To protect against fee diversion, the model bill requires 988 fees to be deposited in a trust fund that can only be used in support of the 988 crisis response system.

Learn about what 988 implementation legislation is moving in statehouses across the country. The legislation is divided across three tabs: pending, passed and inactive legislation

Questions? Corrections? Contact Samira Schreiber at sschreiber@nami.org.

Map Methodology

States designated as having comprehensive legislation have addressed the major components of the 988 model legislation including: 1.) defining 988 services and minimum service requirements, 2.) providing sustainable 988 funding (988 fee and/or reoccurring appropriations), 3.) creating a 988 Trust Fund, and 4.) addresses 988 system oversight. Color indicated relates to highest level of legislation pending. For example, a state that passed a partial bill but has pending legislation that would result in a comprehensive state statute would be light yellow (comprehensive implementation legislation pending).

Chart Methodology

The chart includes a listing of all state legislation that is either based on 988 model bill and/or makes major changes to 988 crisis care continuum (988 call centers, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization services). States are in alphabetical order on each tab with more recent bills at the top of each state’s section. Fee information is provided only for bills based on model bill (note the 911 fee information is provided for reference, it is not included in the bill language). Basic information about the bill is provided, click the bill number for further information.

Recommended citation: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “988 Crisis Response State Legislation Map.” https://reimaginecrisis.org/map/.

State Legislation by the Numbers

states have a 988 fee

states created a 988 advisory board

states established a 988 trust fund

states strengthened crisis care insurance coverage

states are studying 988 financing or gaps in crisis system capacity

states passed appropriations for any of the three core crisis services

Sources

988 Advisory Body (9)

California (AB 988) creates an advisory body
Delaware (HB 160) creates an advisory body
Massachusetts (S 3097) creates an advisory body
Oregon (HB 2417) Creates a 988 advisory body that requires representatives with lived experience
Illinois (HB 2784) creates an advisory body
Kansas (SB 19) creates an advisory body
Utah (SB 155) Creates an advisory body that requires a representative with lived experience
Washington (HB 1477) creates an advisory body that requires representatives with lived experience
Wyoming (HB 65) creates an advisory body

Established a 988 trust fund (14 states, 16 bills)

988 fee and fee level/cap per state (8)

Appropriations for any of the 3 core crisis services (30 states, 32 bills)

988 Study (financing or system gaps/capacity) (5)

Strengthens crisis care insurance coverage (8)

State 988 Crisis Response Advocates Monthly Call

Active in 988 advocacy? Each month, NAMI hosts a cross-organizational call, focused on bringing together advocates from around the country to discuss what 988 policy efforts are happening in states, strategies that are working and common challenges and solutions to advance 988 implementation and related crisis services.

To be added to our advocacy call listserv, please fill out this form. If you are already added to the listserv, please add this meeting to your calendar by downloading the calendar appointments below.