[House Report 115-836]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
115th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 115-836
======================================================================
NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018
_______
July 18, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Walden, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 2345]
The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 2345) to require the Federal Communications
Commission to study the feasibility of designating a simple,
easy-to-remember dialing code to be used for a national suicide
prevention and mental health crisis hotline system, having
considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment
and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 3
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 3
Committee Action................................................. 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 4
Oversight Findings and Recommendations........................... 4
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 4
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 4
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 4
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 4
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 4
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 5
Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits....... 5
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings.............................. 5
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 5
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 5
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 5
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 6
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Suicide Hotline Improvement
Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the term ``Commission'' means the Federal Communications
Commission;
(2) the term ``covered dialing code'' means a simple, easy-
to-remember, 3-digit dialing code; and
(3) the term ``N11 dialing code'' means an abbreviated
dialing code consisting of 3 digits, of which--
(A) the first digit may be any digit other than ``1''
or ``0''; and
(B) each of the last 2 digits is ``1''.
SEC. 3. STUDIES AND REPORTS.
(a) Primary Study.--
(1) In general.--The Commission, in coordination with the
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall conduct a study that--
(A) examines the feasibility of designating an N11
dialing code or other covered dialing code to be used
for a national suicide prevention and mental health
crisis hotline system; and
(B) analyzes the effectiveness of the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline as of the date on which the
study is initiated, including how well the lifeline is
working to address the needs of veterans.
(2) Requirements.--
(A) Commission.--In conducting the study under
paragraph (1), the Commission shall--
(i) consider--
(I) each of the N11 dialing codes,
including the codes that are used for
other purposes; and
(II) other covered dialing codes;
(ii) consult with the North American
Numbering Council; and
(iii) review the information provided by the
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and
Substance Use and the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs under subparagraphs (B) and (C),
respectively, of this paragraph.
(B) SAMHSA study and report to assist commission.--To
assist the Commission in conducting the study under
paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary for Mental
Health and Substance Use shall analyze and, not later
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
report to the Commission on--
(i) the potential impact of the designation
of an N11 dialing code, or other covered
dialing code, for a suicide prevention and
mental health crisis hotline system on--
(I) suicide prevention;
(II) crisis services; and
(III) other suicide prevention and
mental health crisis hotlines,
including--
(aa) the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline; and
(bb) the Veterans Crisis
Line; and
(ii) possible recommendations for improving
the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
generally, which may include--
(I) increased public education and
awareness; and
(II) improved infrastructure and
operations.
(C) VA study and report to assist commission.--To
assist the Commission in conducting the study under
paragraph (1), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
study and, not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, report to the Commission on how
well the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the
Veterans Crisis Line, as in effect on the date on which
the study is initiated, is working to address the needs
of veterans.
(b) Primary Commission Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commission, in coordination with the
Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall submit a report on the
study conducted under subsection (a) that recommends whether a
particular N11 dialing code or other covered dialing code
should be used for a national suicide prevention and mental
health crisis hotline system to--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House
of Representatives; and
(E) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House
of Representatives.
(2) Additional contents.--If the report submitted by the
Commission under paragraph (1) recommends that a dialing code
should be used, the report shall also--
(A) outline the logistics of designating such a
dialing code;
(B) estimate the costs associated with designating
such a dialing code, including--
(i) the costs incurred by service providers,
including--
(I) translation changes in the
network; and
(II) cell site analysis and
reprogramming by wireless carriers; and
(ii) the costs incurred by States and
localities;
(C) provide recommendations for designating such a
dialing code;
(D) provide a cost-benefit analysis comparing the
recommended dialing code with the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline, as in effect on the date on which
the report is submitted; and
(E) make other recommendations, as appropriate, for
improving the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
generally, which may include--
(i) increased public education and awareness;
and
(ii) improved infrastructure and operations.
PURPOSE AND SUMMARY
H.R. 2345, National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of
2018, was introduced on May 3, 2017, by Representative Chris
Stewart (R-UT). H.R. 2345 would require the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMSHA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a
study that examines the feasibility of designating an N11
dialing code to be used for a national suicide prevention and
mental health crisis hotline system.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
According to the National Center for Health Statistics,
suicide rates in the United States have surged to their highest
levels in nearly 30 years. Suicide is the second leading cause
of death among 15-19 year olds, and over 44,000 Americans die
by suicide each year.
In an effort to provide free resources to those
experiencing a mental health crisis, SAMHSA launched the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2005. Today, the
Lifeline is a network of over 160 crisis centers that provide
free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or
emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some have
suggested that creating a 3-digit dialing code for a national
suicide prevention hotline would make it easier for those
experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts to
seek help.
COMMITTEE ACTION
On March 22, 2018, the Subcommittee on Communications and
Technology held a hearing on H.R. 2345. The Subcommittee
received testimony from:
Tim Donovan, Senior Vice President,
Legislative Affairs, Competitive Carriers Association;
David Donovan, President and Executive
Director, New York State Broadcasters Association,
Inc.;
Robert Gessner, President, MCTV;
John Madigan, Vice President and Chief
Public Policy Officer, American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention; and
Sarah Morris, Director of Open Internet
Policy, Open Technology Institute, New America
Foundation.
On June 13, 2018, the Subcommittee on Communications and
Technology met in open markup session and forwarded H.R. 2345,
as amended, to the full Committee by a voice vote. On July 12,
2018, the full Committee on Energy and Commerce met in open
markup session and ordered H.R. 2345, as amended, favorably
reported to the House by a voice vote.
COMMITTEE VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes
on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto.
There were no recorded votes taken in connection with ordering
H.R. 2345 reported.
OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee held a hearing and made
findings that are reflected in this report.
NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX EXPENDITURES
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R.
2345 would result in no new or increased budget authority,
entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, at the time this report was filed,
the cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 was not available.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general
performance goal or objective of this legislation is to conduct
a study that examines the feasibility of designating an N11
dialing code to be used for a national suicide prevention
hotline.
DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
No provision of H.R. 2345 establishes or reauthorizes a
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program, a program that was included in any
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance.
COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared
by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. At the
time this report was filed, the estimate was not available.
EARMARK, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED TARIFF BENEFITS
Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the
Committee finds that H.R. 2345 contains no earmarks, limited
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.
DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULE MAKINGS
Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5, the Committee finds
that H.R. 2345 contains no directed rule makings.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 provides that the Act may be cited as the
``National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018.''
Section 2. Definitions
Section 2 defines several terms in the Act, including
``Commission,'' ``covered dialing code,'' and ``N11 dialing
code.''
Section 3. Studies and reports
Section 3 requires the FCC, in coordination with the
Assistant Secretary for SAMHSA and the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, to conduct a study that examines the feasibility of
designating a N11 dialing code to be used for a national
suicide prevention hotline and that analyzes the effectiveness
of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In conducting the
study, the FCC shall consider each of the N11 dialing codes,
other covered dialing codes, and the information provided by
SAMHSA and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The section also
requires SAMHSA to issue a study and report to the FCC on the
potential impact of a N11 dialing code and possible
recommendations for improving the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline. The section also requires the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to report to the FCC on how well the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line is working to
address the needs of veterans. Finally, the section requires
the FCC to submit a report to Congress that recommends whether
a N11 dialing code should be used for a national suicide
prevention hotline.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
This legislation does not amend any existing Federal
statute.
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