I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3111
To facilitate nationwide availability of 2–1–1 telephone service for information 
and referral on human services, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 17, 2003
Mr. BURR (for himself, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. UPTON, Ms. DEGETTE, Ms. SLAUGH-
TER, Mr. RUSH, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. SIMMONS, Mr. 
DEUTSCH, Mr. CASE, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. LEWIS 
of Georgia, Mr. LINDER, Mr. NORWOOD, and Mr. EHLERS) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce 
A BILL 
To facilitate nationwide availability of 2–1–1 telephone serv-
ice for information and referral on human services, and 
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Calling for 2–1–1 Act 
of 2003’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Federal Communications Commission 
has assigned 2–1–1 as the national telephone num-
ber for telephone service for information and referral 
on human services, declaring that 2–1–1 best satis-
fies the public interest in allotting the limited re-
source of this abbreviated number. In 2005, the 
Commission will assess the widespread utilization of 
the 2–1–1 telephone number and evaluate whether 
to continue the assignment of that telephone number 
for that service. 
(2) The number ‘‘2–1–1’’ is an easy-to-remem-
ber telephone number that facilitates critical connec-
tions between individuals and families seeking serv-
ices, volunteer opportunities, or both and appro-
priate human service agencies, including community-
based and faith-based organizations and government 
agencies. 
(3) There are more than 820,000 nonprofit or-
ganizations in the United States. Individuals and 
families often find it difficult to navigate through a 
complex and ever growing maze of human service 
agencies 
and 
programs, 
spending 
inordinate 
amounts of time trying to identify an agency or pro-
gram that provides a service that may be imme-
diately or urgently required and often abandoning
the search from frustration or a lack of quality in-
formation. 
(4) At the Federal, State, and local levels, gov-
ernment funding supports well-intentioned programs 
that are not fully utilized because of a lack of access 
to and information on such programs by the public. 
Program administrators have indicated that there is 
a need for a simple way to connect those eligible for 
programs with available program resources. 2–1–1 
telephone service will reduce the number of inappro-
priate calls to government offices by directing con-
sumers to the appropriate human services agency, 
resulting in a more effective use of government serv-
ices. 
(5) Many families need information on govern-
ment and not-for-profit services that address domes-
tic violence, support adequate and stable housing, al-
leviate hunger, and provide for high-quality day 
care, afterschool activities, summer activities, job 
training and assistance, elder care, and disaster re-
covery. 
(6) Individuals often need support, services, or 
both when suffering emotional distress, having suici-
dal thoughts or behavior, contemplating violence, or 
using drugs or alcohol.