[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3199 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESSui
2d Session
S. 3199
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To instruct the Federal Communications Commission to initiate a notice
of inquiry and instruct the Government Accountability Office to
complete a study and report providing detailed recommendations to
address challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls
to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``988 Lifeline Location Improvement
Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) 911 system service provider.--The term ``911 system
service provider'' has the meaning given the term ``covered 911
service provider'' in section 9.19(a)(4) of title 47, Code of
Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives.
(3) Dispatchable location.--The term ``dispatchable
location'' has the meaning given that term in section 9.3 of
title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.
(4) Emergency communications center.--The term ``emergency
communications center'' means--
(A) a facility that is designed to receive a 911
request for emergency assistance; or
(B) a public safety answering point, as defined in
section 9.3 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations,
or any successor regulation.
(5) Telecommunications service provider.--The term
``telecommunications service provider'' has the meaning given
the term ``service provider'' in section 52.5(e) of title 47,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
SEC. 3. NOTICE OF INQUIRY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall
initiate a notice of inquiry to address the challenges to transmitting
geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis
Lifeline.
(b) Evaluation Considerations.--In evaluating responses to the
notice of inquiry under subsection (a), the Federal Communications
Commission shall consider--
(1) legal authorities with respect to mandating the
transmission of geolocation information, including dispatchable
location information, with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis
Lifeline;
(2) the protection of consumer privacy with respect to
mandating the transmission of geolocation information,
including dispatchable location information, with calls to the
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline;
(3) the feasibility and technical implementation standards
for telecommunications service providers, 911 system service
providers, public safety answering points, and local crisis
centers with respect to mandating the transmission of
geolocation information;
(4) an assessment of the potential costs, funding
requirements, and options for recovery of costs for
telecommunications service providers, the 988 Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line, and local crisis
centers with respect to mandating the transmission of
geolocation information;
(5) technical challenges associated with mandating the
transmission of geolocation information for users who access
the 988 American Sign Language line through direct video
calling and video relay service; and
(6) the technologies currently available to provide
dispatchable location information and methods for transferring
location information from 988 centers to 911 centers.
SEC. 4. GAO REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study and submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on the opportunities and challenges related to
implementing geolocation for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,
including--
(1) policy considerations regarding consumer privacy and
legal authority with respect to mandating transmission of
geolocation information, including dispatchable location
information, with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline;
(2) technical implementation standards for
telecommunications service providers, 911 system service
providers, emergency communications centers, and local crisis
centers; and
(3) the potential recovery of costs or additional funding
requirements for telecommunications service providers, the 988
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line, and
local crisis centers.
(b) Consultation.--In conducting the study under subsection (a),
the Comptroller General of the United States shall consult with--
(1) representatives from--
(A) telecommunications service providers or
organizations that represent telecommunications service
providers;
(B) handset manufacturers or organizations that
represent handset manufacturers;
(C) emergency communications centers or
organizations that represent emergency communications
centers;
(D) 911 system service providers or organizations
that represent 911 system service providers;
(E) State government, including those representing
low population States;
(F) local government, including those representing
small and rural communities;
(G) the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline;
(H) local crisis centers or organizations that
represent local crisis centers;
(I) the Veterans Crisis Line;
(J) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration;
(K) mental health services organizations; and
(L) community mental health centers; and
(2) individuals with experience providing services for
people who are deaf or hard of hearing or have hearing loss,
such as providing access to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
through direct video calling and video relay service.
Passed the Senate May 11, 2026.
Attest:
Secretary.
119th CONGRESSui
2d Session
S. 3199
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To instruct the Federal Communications Commission to initiate a notice
of inquiry and instruct the Government Accountability Office to
complete a study and report providing detailed recommendations to
address challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls
to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and for other purposes.