HB 2757 Funding for 9-8-8 suicide hotline

06/18/2023
VOTE: NO
Signed into law by Gov.Kotek on 6-29-23, effective 9-24-23
Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/HB2757?pubDate=2023-06-18-15-07
Committee assigned to bill:https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Committees/SFR/Overview

This bill expands and provides funding for coordinated crisis services system including 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline. Imposes tax on consumers and retail subscribers who have telecommunications service or interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol service and who have prepaid telecommunications services, to pay for crisis services system. Applies to subscriber bills issued and retail transactions made on or after January 1, 2024. Requires city to enter into memorandum of understanding with county regarding provision of mobile crisis intervention services.

Previous funding:

HB 2417 (2021) – $5 million General Fund to initiate the crisis hotline center (contract with Lines for Life and Northwest Human Services). $10 million General Fund distributed to counties to establish and maintain mobile crisis intervention teams that could respond to crisis in the community.
HB 5024 (2021) – $6.5 million General Fund for Mobile Response and Crisis Stabilization Services(MRSS) that continued expansion of crisis stabilization services, resulting in coverage
across the entire life span of Oregonians regardless of insurance status.
HB 5202 (2022) – Included $1.8 million General Fund and 10 positions for ongoing agency operations to support implementation and oversight of the system envisioned by HB 2417, the
development of standards for statewide mobile crisis teams, development of Medicaid reimbursement opportunities and business information system and financial management support.

Proposed funding of 0.50/line/month for biennium = $68,520,000 where what is needed is $5,000,000, which is 0.0346/line/month.

44 states have no phone tax for 9-8-8 services.

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