SF 438 (LSB 2721XS (4) 91)

SENATE FILE 438

BY  WEINER, DONAHUE, DOTZLER, WINCKLER, CELSI, TOWNSEND, STAED, PETERSEN, and QUIRMBACH

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the establishment of a 988 emergency service fund, making an appropriation, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  34B.1  Definitions.
   1.  For purposes of this chapter:
   a.  “988 service” means a service which provides the user of a public telephone system the ability to reach a suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing or texting the digits 9-8-8, or using an internet site chat function.
   b.  “Department” means the department of health and human services.
   2.  A 988 emergency service fund is created in the state treasury under the control of the department. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the department for purposes described in subsection 4.
   3.  For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, there is transferred to the 988 emergency service fund from the general fund of the state the sum of three million dollars.
   4.  Moneys in the 988 emergency service fund shall be distributed by the department to persons operating a 988 service in this state in the event that federal funding for 988 services terminates, becomes delayed, or is otherwise impacted in such a way that 988 service is interrupted in the state.
    Sec. 2.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the establishment of a 988 emergency service fund (988 fund).
   The bill defines “988 service” as a service which provides the user of a public telephone system the ability to reach a suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing or texting the digits 9-8-8, or using an internet site chat function.
   The bill creates a 988 fund in the state treasury under the control of the department of health and human services (HHS). For FY 2025-2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, the bill transfers $3 million to the 988 fund from the general fund of the state. Moneys in the 988 fund are appropriated to HHS for distribution to persons operating a 988 service in this state in the event that federal funding for 988 services terminates, becomes delayed, or is otherwise impacted in such a way that interrupts 988 service in this state.
   The bill is effective upon enactment.