Senators Refile Bill to Study 988 Geolocation Issues
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Communications Subcommittee ranking member Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., led the refiling Wednesday of the 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act to create a multi-stakeholder advisory committee to examine policy and other issues with transmitting location information of calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline system. The committee will in part explore ways that local call centers can more efficiently dispatch emergency services to callers. The senators cited support from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International and National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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“We need to build on the good work we’ve already done to modernize this vital lifeline,” Barrasso said. “Our bipartisan bill will allow experts to study how we can expand geolocation data to help connect callers with local emergency services as quickly as possible.” Lujan said the measure is “an important step in understanding how to further improve location information for 988 calls, so we can ensure people are connected with local resources and emergency services when necessary.” Senate Communications Chair Deb Fischer, R-Neb., is among the bill's co-sponsors.