National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018

Bill: 115-hr-2345
Sponsor: Rep. Stewart, Chris [R-UT-2]
Introduced: 2017-05-03 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Emergency communications systems
Government studies and investigations
Health promotion and preventive care
Mental health
Telephone and wireless communication
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: 

National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and to consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs to examine: (1) the feasibility of designating a three-digit dialing code for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system; and (2) the effectiveness of the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK), including how well it addresses the needs of veterans.
 
 The FCC must submit to Congress a recommended dialing code, a cost-benefit analysis comparing the three-digit code to the current lifeline number, and cost estimates for service providers, states, and localities.

action_date: 2018-07-18
text: 

National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a study that: (1) examines the feasibility of designating a three-digit dialing code (N11 dialing code) for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system; and (2) analyzes the effectiveness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), including how well it addresses the needs of veterans. 
 
To assist the FCC in conducting the study, SAMHSA shall analyze and report to the FCC on: (1) the potential impact of the designation of a dialing code on suicide prevention, crisis services, and other suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotlines; and (2) possible recommendations for improving the NSPL generally. The VA shall study and report to the FCC on how well the NSPL and the Veterans Crisis Line are working to address the needs of veterans.
 
The FCC, in coordination with SAMSHA and the VA, shall report on the study to specified congressional committees.

action_date: 2018-07-23
text: 

National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018

 
(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a study that: (1) examines the feasibility of designating a three-digit dialing code (N11 dialing code) for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system; and (2) analyzes the effectiveness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) as of the date on which the study is initiated, including how well it addresses the needs of veterans. 
 
To assist the FCC in conducting the study, SAMHSA shall analyze and report to the FCC on: (1) the potential impact of such designation of a dialing code on suicide prevention, crisis services, and other suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotlines; and (2) possible recommendations for improving the NSPL generally. The VA shall study and report to the FCC on how well the NSPL and the Veterans Crisis Line are working to address the needs of veterans.
 
The FCC, in coordination with SAMHSA and the VA, shall report on the study to specified congressional committees.
 
(Sec. 4) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

action_date: 2018-08-01
text: 

 

National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018

 
(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a study that: (1) examines the feasibility of designating a three-digit dialing code (N11 dialing code) for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system; and (2) analyzes the effectiveness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) as of the date on which the study is initiated, including how well it addresses the needs of veterans. 
 
To assist the FCC in conducting the study, SAMHSA shall analyze and report to the FCC on: (1) the potential impact of such designation of a dialing code on suicide prevention, crisis services, and other suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotlines; and (2) possible recommendations for improving the NSPL generally. The VA shall study and report to the FCC on how well the NSPL and the Veterans Crisis Line are working to address the needs of veterans.
 
The FCC, in coordination with SAMHSA and the VA, shall report on the study to specified congressional committees.
 
(Sec. 4) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

action_date: 2018-08-14
text: 
 

National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018

 
(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a study that: (1) examines the feasibility of designating a three-digit dialing code (N11 dialing code) for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system; and (2) analyzes the effectiveness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) as of the date on which the study is initiated, including how well it addresses the needs of veterans. 
 
To assist the FCC in conducting the study, SAMHSA shall analyze and report to the FCC on: (1) the potential impact of such designation of a dialing code on suicide prevention, crisis services, and other suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotlines; and (2) possible recommendations for improving the NSPL generally. The VA shall study and report to the FCC on how well the NSPL and the Veterans Crisis Line are working to address the needs of veterans.
 
The FCC, in coordination with SAMHSA and the VA, shall report on the study to specified congressional committees.
 
(Sec. 4) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-08-14
text: Became Public Law No: 115-233.
action_date: 2018-08-14
text: Became Public Law No: 115-233.
action_date: 2018-08-14
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-08-14
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-08-03
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-08-03
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-08-02
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-08-01
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5560)
action_date: 2018-08-01
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5560)
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 - 1 (Roll no. 366). (text: CR H6592-6593)
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 - 1 (Roll no. 366).(text: CR H6592-6593)
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6631-6632)
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2345.
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6592-6595)
action_date: 2018-07-23
text: Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2018-07-18
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 646.
action_date: 2018-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-836.
action_date: 2018-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-836.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2018-06-13
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-05-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 115-233