An Act To require the Federal Communications Commission to study the feasibility of designating a simple, easy-to-remember dialing code to be used for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system.

Aug. 14, 2018

[H.R. 2345]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

National Suicide Hotline Improvement

Act of 2018.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the “National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018”.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act—(1) the term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission; (2) the term “covered dialing code” means a simple, easy-to-remember, 3-digit dialing code; and (3) the term “N11 dialing code” means an abbreviated dialing code consisting of 3 digits, of which—(A) the first digit may be any digit other than “1” or “0”; and (B) each of the last 2 digits is “1”.

SEC. 3. STUDIES AND REPORTS.(a) Primary Study.—(1)

Coordination.

In general.—The Commission, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall conduct a study that—(A)

Examination.

examines the feasibility of designating an N11 dialing code or other covered dialing code to be used for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system; and (B)

Analysis.

analyzes the effectiveness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline as of the date on which the study is initiated, including how well the lifeline is working to address the needs of veterans. (2) Requirements.—(A) Commission.—In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Commission shall—(i) consider—(I) each of the N11 dialing codes, including the codes that are used for other purposes; and (II) other covered dialing codes;132 STAT. 2425 (ii)

Consultation.

consult with the North American Numbering Council; and (iii)

Review.

review the information provided by the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively, of this paragraph. (B) SAMHSA study and report to assist commission.—To assist

Analysis.

the Commission in conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use shall analyze and, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, report to the Commission on—(i) the potential impact of the designation of an N11 dialing code, or other covered dialing code, for a suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system on—(I) suicide prevention; (II) crisis services; and (III) other suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotlines, including—(aa) the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; and (bb) the Veterans Crisis Line; and (ii)

Recommenda-

tions.

possible recommendations for improving the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline generally, which may include—(I) increased public education and awareness; and (II) improved infrastructure and operations. (C) VA study and report to assist commission.—To assist the Commission in conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall study and, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, report to the Commission on how well the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line, as in effect on the date on which the study is initiated, is working to address the needs of veterans. (b)

Recommenda-

tions.

Coordination.

Primary Commission Report.—(1) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall submit a report on the study conducted under subsection (a) that recommends whether a particular N11 dialing code or other covered dialing code should be used for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system to—(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate; (D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and (E) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives.132 STAT. 2426 (2) Additional contents.—If the report submitted by the Commission under paragraph (1) recommends that a dialing code should be used, the report shall also—(A) outline the logistics of designating such a dialing code; (B)

Cost estimate.

estimate the costs associated with designating such a dialing code, including—(i) the costs incurred by service providers, including—(I) translation changes in the network; and (II) cell site analysis and reprogramming by wireless carriers; and (ii) the costs incurred by States and localities; (C) provide recommendations for designating such a dialing code; (D)

Analysis.

provide a cost-benefit analysis comparing the recommended dialing code with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as in effect on the date on which the report is submitted; and (E) make other recommendations, as appropriate, for improving the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline generally, which may include—(i) increased public education and awareness; and (ii) improved infrastructure and operations.

SEC. 4. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED. No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act. This Act shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized.

Approved August 14, 2018.