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S3058A
2026 -- S 3058 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC005059/SUB A
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND
HOSPITALS -- 988 CALL CENTER AND CRISIS OUTREACH AND STABILIZATION
SERVICES CENTER OPERATIONS ACT
Introduced By:
Senators Murray, Lawson, Ciccone, Tikoian, and LaMountain
Date Introduced:
March 12, 2026
Referred To:
Senate Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 40.1 of the General Laws entitled "BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE,
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DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS" is hereby amended by adding thereto
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the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 30
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988 CALL CENTER AND CRISIS OUTREACH AND STABILIZATION SERVICES
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CENTER OPERATIONS ACT
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40.1-30-1. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:
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(1) "988 call center" means the designated, non-governmental entity operating the federally
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approved in-state contact center for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline authorized under the
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National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-172, 134 Stat. 832 (2020),
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exclusively responsible for answering and responding to 988 contacts originating in Rhode Island.
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(2) "988 contact" means a communication with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline system
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within the United States operating through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or its successor
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via modalities offered, including call, chat, or text.
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(3) "Crisis outreach and stabilization services center" means a crisis outreach and
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stabilization service center providing short term services with capacity for diagnosis, initial
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management, observation, crisis stabilization, and follow up referral services to all persons in
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response to 988 contacts, pursuant to chapter 23-17.26, and the National Suicide Hotline
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Designation Act of 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-172, 134 Stat. 832 (2020).
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(4) "Crisis receiving and stabilization centers" are facilities providing short term services
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of up to twenty-four (24) hours with capacity for diagnosis, initial management, observation, crisis
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stabilization and follow up referral services to all persons.
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(5) "Lifeline administrator" means the entity that contracts with the Substance Abuse and
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Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to oversee the national 988 suicide and crisis
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lifeline system and ensure it meets all federal requirements.
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(6) “Operator” means the nonprofit entity designated to oversee the 988 call center pursuant
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to § 40.1-30-3.
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(7) "Director" means the director of the department of behavioral healthcare,
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developmental disabilities and hospitals (BHDDH).
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(8) "Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ("SAMHSA")" means
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the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health
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efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
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40.1-30-2. 988 and crisis outreach and stabilization services system established.
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(a) The director is hereby authorized to designate and fully fund the 988 call center and
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crisis receiving and stabilization centers to provide for diagnosis, initial management, observation,
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crisis stabilization, and follow up referral services to all persons in response to 988 contacts.
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(b) The director shall have the authority to allocate and expend any and all allocated funds
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including state, federal, and private and public grant funds to support the 988 call center and crisis
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outreach and stabilization services center system to:
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(1) Operate, staff, and maintain the 988 call center;
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(2) Acquire, upgrade, and maintain technology or telecommunications infrastructure for
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988 call center use;
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(3) Provide required training for call center staff in accordance with federal 988 program
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standards;
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(4) Provide acute mental health crisis outreach and stabilization services in direct response
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to 988 and mental health crisis calls as authorized by the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act
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of 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-172, 134 Stat. 832 (2020); and
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(5) Conduct public awareness and first responder outreach efforts about the availability
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and use of 988 and crisis outreach and stabilization services.
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(c) Funding for the 988 call center and crisis outreach and stabilization services shall not
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be used to:
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(1) Expand into service areas beyond those allowed by the National Suicide Hotline
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Designation Act or implementing SAMHSA guidance; or
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(2) Fund operations, staff, or administration of any state agency.
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40.1-30-3. Governance and independence of 988 call center operations.
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(a) The 988 call center shall be operated by a nonprofit entity appointed by the director and
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approved by the lifeline administrator designated by SAMHSA in accordance with federal grant
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requirements. In the event the nonprofit entity ceases operation, and another nonprofit entity cannot
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operate the call center within a reasonable time, BHDDH is authorized to operate the 988 call center
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until a qualified nonprofit entity is appointed by the director and approved by SAMHSA.
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(b) The call center shall operate collaboratively with all Rhode Island executive
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departments and shall be subject to the oversight and direction of BHDDH.
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(c) BHDDH shall establish an advisory board to promote compliance with national
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standards and best practices. The advisory board shall consist of professionals with expertise in
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children, adolescent, and adult behavioral health including a representative of BHDDH and the
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Department of Children, Youth and Families.
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40.1-30-4. Oversight and reporting.
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(a) BHDDH shall collect information from the operator(s) of the 988 call center and the
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crisis outreach and stabilization services center(s), and shall submit an annual report to the governor
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and the general assembly by February 1 of each year detailing:
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(1) Revenue by category including, but not limited to, grants, and appropriations;
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(2) Expenditures by category including, but not limited to, staffing, training, and
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technology; and
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(3) Service performance metrics including, but not limited to, call volume, wait times, and
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abandonments.
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(b) The Rhode Island auditor general shall conduct an annual audit of the 988 call center
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and crisis outreach and stabilization services center(s) operations and funding and provide the
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results to the governor, the speaker of the house; the president of the senate; the house of
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representatives finance committee chair; and the senate finance committee chair.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2027.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND
HOSPITALS -- 988 CALL CENTER AND CRISIS OUTREACH AND STABILIZATION
SERVICES CENTER OPERATIONS ACT
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This act would establish the operations necessary for a 988 hotline for suicide prevention
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and behavioral health crisis management. This act would also establish the operations necessary
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for acute mental health crisis outreach and stabilization services in direct response to the 988
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hotline.
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This act would take effect on July 1, 2027.
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