To instruct the Federal Communications Commission to initiate a notice of inquiry and instruct the Government Accountability Office to complete a study and report providing detailed recommendations to address challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) 911 system service provider
The term 911 system service provider has the meaning given the term covered 911 service provider in section 9.19(a)(4) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
(2) Appropriate committees of Congress
The term appropriate committees of Congress means—
(A)
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
(B)
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; and
(C)
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(3) Dispatchable location
The term dispatchable location has the meaning given that term in section 9.3 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
(4) Emergency communications center
The term emergency communications center means—
(A)
a facility that is designed to receive a 911 request for emergency assistance; or
(B)
a public safety answering point, as defined in section 9.3 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
(5) Telecommunications service provider
The term telecommunications service provider has the meaning given the term service provider in section 52.5(e) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
Sec. 3. Notice of inquiry
(a) In general
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall initiate a notice of inquiry to address the challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
(b) Evaluation considerations
In evaluating responses to the notice of inquiry under subsection (a), the Federal Communications Commission shall consider—
(1)
legal authorities with respect to mandating the transmission of geolocation information, including dispatchable location information, with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline;
(2)
the protection of consumer privacy with respect to mandating the transmission of geolocation information, including dispatchable location information, with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline;
(3)
the feasibility and technical implementation standards for telecommunications service providers, 911 system service providers, public safety answering points, and local crisis centers with respect to mandating the transmission of geolocation information;
(4)
an assessment of the potential costs, funding requirements, and options for recovery of costs for telecommunications service providers, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line, and local crisis centers with respect to mandating the transmission of geolocation information;
(5)
technical challenges associated with mandating the transmission of geolocation information for users who access the 988 American Sign Language line through direct video calling and video relay service; and
(6)
the technologies currently available to provide dispatchable location information and methods for transferring location information from 988 centers to 911 centers.
Sec. 4. GAO report
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the opportunities and challenges related to implementing geolocation for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, including—
(1)
policy considerations regarding consumer privacy and legal authority with respect to mandating transmission of geolocation information, including dispatchable location information, with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline;
(2)
technical implementation standards for telecommunications service providers, 911 system service providers, emergency communications centers, and local crisis centers; and
(3)
the potential recovery of costs or additional funding requirements for telecommunications service providers, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line, and local crisis centers.
(b) Consultation
In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall consult with—
(1)
representatives from—
(A)
telecommunications service providers or organizations that represent telecommunications service providers;
(B)
handset manufacturers or organizations that represent handset manufacturers;
(C)
emergency communications centers or organizations that represent emergency communications centers;
(D)
911 system service providers or organizations that represent 911 system service providers;
(E)
State government, including those representing low population States;
(F)
local government, including those representing small and rural communities;
(G)
the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline;
(H)
local crisis centers or organizations that represent local crisis centers;
(I)
the Veterans Crisis Line;
(J)
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration;
(K)
mental health services organizations; and
(L)
community mental health centers; and
(2)
individuals with experience providing services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing or have hearing loss, such as providing access to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline through direct video calling and video relay service.