Federal Communications Commission	DA 24-364

DA 24-364
Released:  April 18, 2024

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

The Wireline Competition Bureau invites states, political subdivisions, Indian Tribes, or villages or regional corporations to submit information on their 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, 2023 through December 31, 2023.  This information will be used by the Commission in its report to Congress on 988 funds as mandated by the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 (988 Act).  National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, § 3(a), Pub. L. No. 116-172, https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ172/PLAW-116publ172.pdf (988 Act).
  The requested 988 fee information must be provided through a fillable questionnaire, available for download at https://www.fcc.gov/988-fee-reports-and-reporting, and be submitted to 988feereport@fcc.gov no later than July 17, 2024.  In the coming weeks, states and other jurisdictions can expect to receive more detailed information on the questionnaire and how to submit it to the Commission.
On October 17, 2020, the President signed the 988 Act into law.  The 988 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 [988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline].” 988 Act, § 3(a).
  It also requires the Commission to submit annually a 988 fee accountability report to Congress. 988 Act, § 4(b).  Congress also directed the Commission to submit a report on location identification.  988 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 third annual 988 fee accountability report, which is due to Congress by October 17, 2024. 988 Act, § 4(b).
  
Section 4 of the 988 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. 988 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 988 Act. 988 Act, § 4(b)(2).  
  Under the 988 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 the 988 Lifeline. 988 Act, § 4(a)(2)(A), (a)(2)(B).
  
For further information, please contact Jaime McCoy at 988feereport@fcc.gov.

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