Federal Communications Commission	DA 22-400



DA 22-400
Released:  April 12, 2022

WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU SEEKS INFORMATION FOR THE ANNUAL  INFORMATION COLLECTION ON 988 FUNDS MANDATED BY THE SUICIDE HOTLINE DESIGNATION ACT OF 2020
WC Docket No. 18-336

On October 17, 2020, the President signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 (Suicide Hotline Act) into law. National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, § 3(a), Pub. L. No. 116-172, https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ172/PLAW-116publ172.pdf  (Suicide Hotline Act).
  The Suicide Hotline Act designates 988 as “the universal telephone number within the United States for the purpose of the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system operating through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.” Suicide Hotline Act, § 3(a).
  It also requires the Commission to submit annually a 988 fee accountability report to Congress. Suicide Hotline Act, § 4(b).  Congress also directed the Commission to submit a report on location identification. Suicide Hotline Act § 5.  The location identification report was submitted to Congress on April 15, 2021.  FCC, 988 Geolocation Report – National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 (2021), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-371709A1.pdf (988 Geolocation Report). 
  By this public notice, we seek information regarding the collection and use of 988 funds to inform the 988 fee accountability report, which is due to Congress by October 17, 2022. Suicide Hotline Act, § 4(b).
  

Section 4 of the Suicide Hotline Act requires the Commission to submit an annual report to Congress that details how each state, political subdivision, Indian Tribe, or village or regional corporation collects and expends 988 fees or charges. Suicide Hotline Act, § 4(b)(1), (b)(2).  
  It also requires the Commission to determine the amount of 988 fees or charges that have been diverted or transferred for uses other than those approved in the Suicide Hotline Act. Suicide Hotline Act, § 4(b)(2).  
  Under the Suicide Hotline Act, a 988 fee or charge may only be imposed, collected, and used for 988 related services, which include:  (1) the “efficient and effective routing of calls” to 988 to an appropriate crisis center and (2) “personnel and the provision of acute mental health, crisis outreach and stabilization services” for 988 calls. Suicide Hotline Act, § 4(a)(2)(A), (a)(2)(B).
  

On March 28, 2022, the Commission received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to collect information regarding 988 funds. Office of Management and Budget, OMB Control Number 3060-1301 (Mar. 28, 2022).  In addition to this Public Notice, the Commission will be emailing the questionnaire directly to the relevant stakeholders identified in the Suicide Hotline Act.
  Pursuant to this authorization and to fulfill the Commission’s obligations under Section 4 of the Suicide Hotline Act, we invite submission of information concerning a state’s or jurisdiction’s authority to collect 988 fees or charges, the amount of revenue collected from the 988 fee or charge, and how the revenue collected from the 988 fee or charge was used, covering the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.  This information must be provided through a fillable questionnaire, available for download at https://www.fcc.gov/988-fee-reports, and be submitted to 988feereport@fcc.gov no later than July 17, 2022.  In the coming weeks, states and jurisdictions can expect to receive more detailed information on the questionnaire and how to submit it to the Commission. 

For further information, please contact Jaime McCoy and Emily Caditz at 988feereport@fcc.gov.  

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