“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”

Comment Date:  February 14, 2020
Reply Comment Date:  March 16, 2020

On December 16, 2019, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in which it proposed to establish a new 3-digit dialing code, 988, for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. 

The NPRM proposes that calls made to 988 would be directed to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a national network of 163 crisis centers.  Currently, the Lifeline is available by calling 1-800-273-TALK and through online chats.

On January 15, 2020, the Wireline Competition Bureau of the FCC released a public notice announcing the comment dates for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Interested parties may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings.  All filings must reference WC Docket No. 18-336.  People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.     

Links to the NPRM:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-988-suicide-prevention-mental-health-hotline-0
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-128A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-128A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-128A1.txt

Links to the Press Release:
Word:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-361337A1.docx  
PDF:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-361337A1.pdf 
Text:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-361337A1.txt   

Links to the Public Notice Announcing Comment Dates:
URL:  https://www.fcc.gov/document/suicide-prevention-mental-health-hotline-comment-deadlines  
Word:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-79A1.docx  
PDF:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-79A1.pdf  
Text:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-79A1.txt  

For more information about the proposed national suicide prevention 3-digit dialing code, please contact Michelle Sclater, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, at (202) 418-0388 or michelle.sclater@fcc.gov.  Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).  TTY users may call the FCC’s TTY number at (888) 835-5322.

Updated:
Tuesday, January 26, 2021