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SB 3058

AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- 988 CALL CENTER AND CRISIS OUTREACH AND STABILIZATION SERVICES CENTER OPERATIONS ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Frank Ciccone and 4 co-sponsors

Creates an independent, Rhode Island–based 988 call center and BH Link system funded publicly and via grants to provide 24/7 crisis intervention with annual audits and reporting.

05/27/2026 Referred to House Finance
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 3058

Overview

  • Bill: SB 3058
  • Session: Rhode Island, 2026
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- 988 CALL CENTER AND BH LINK OPERATIONS ACT
  • Introduced: March 12, 2026
  • Referred to: Senate Health & Human Services
  • Status: Scheduled for consideration; committee recommended holding for further study (as of March 24, 2026)
  • Governor/Enactment Timeline: Takes effect July 1, 2027

Main purpose and intent

The act aims to establish a dedicated, sustainable framework for Rhode Island’s 988 suicide crisis hotline and related BH Link crisis outreach and stabilization services. It creates a separate, independently operated 988 call center and BH Link system funded and governed to meet federal standards and guidelines, ensuring reliable access to crisis intervention for Rhode Islanders.

Key aims:
- Create a reliable in-state 988 call center infrastructure funded with diverse sources (state, federal, private/grants).
- Maintain independent operation from state agencies to preserve dedicated crisis response focus.
- Provide 24/7 crisis outreach and stabilization services via BH Link in direct response to 988 contacts.
- Establish governance, reporting, and accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance with federal program standards.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Definitions (Chapter 40.1-30-1)

    • 988 call center: designated nonprofit operating Rhode Island–based, federally approved 988 contact center, handling 988 calls, texts, and chats within the state.
    • 988 contact: any communication (call, chat, text) to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline system.
    • BH Link: crisis outreach and stabilization center providing short-term services (diagnosis, initial management, observation, crisis stabilization, follow-up referrals) in response to 988 contacts.
    • Crisis receiving and stabilization centers: facilities offering up to 24-hour short-term services.
    • Lifeline administrator, operator, and SAMHSA references defined for governance and compliance purposes.
    • State authority: Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (DBHH).

  2. Establishment, funding, and operations (40.1-30-2)

    • The director may designate and fully fund the 988 call center, BH Link, and similar centers to provide diagnosis, management, observation, stabilization, and follow-up services for all 988 contacts.
    • Funding sources include appropriate state and federal funds and private/public grants.
    • Eligible expenditures cover operations, staffing, technology, training (aligned with federal 988 program standards), outreach, and public awareness/first responder education.

  3. Governance and independence (40.1-30-3)

    • The 988 call center will be operated by a nonprofit entity selected by the General Assembly and approved by the lifeline administrator (per SAMHSA/federal requirements).
    • The operator must collaborate with all state executive departments; it cannot be controlled by any single state agency.
    • An advisory board may be established with expertise in children, adolescent, and adult behavioral health to promote compliance with national standards.

  4. Oversight and reporting (40.1-30-4)

    • Annual report due February 1 from the operator detailing:
      • Revenue by category (grants, appropriations, etc.)
      • Expenditures by category (staffing, training, technology, etc.)
      • Service performance metrics (call volume, wait times, abandonments)
    • The Rhode Island Auditor General shall conduct an annual audit of the 988 call center and BH Link operations and funding, with results provided to key legislative leadership and finance committee chairs.

  5. Prohibitions and limitations

    • Funding cannot be used to expand into areas beyond what is allowed by the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act or SAMHSA guidance.
    • Funding cannot be used to operate state agencies’ operations, staff, or administration.

  6. Effective date

    • The act becomes effective on July 1, 2027.

Who or what would be affected

  • Rhode Island residents seeking crisis intervention via the 988 system (calls, texts, chats) will interact with an independent, Rhode Island–based call center.
  • BH Link crisis outreach and stabilization services would operate in response to 988 contacts, providing short-term stabilization and referrals.
  • The nonprofit operator of the 988 call center would gain funding streams (state, federal, grants) and be subject to annual reporting and audited oversight.
  • State agencies would coordinate with the operator but would not manage its day-to-day operations.
  • The General Assembly and the Auditor General would receive annual financial and performance audits and reports.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Funding and governance arrangements to be established via designation by the Director and approval by the SAMHSA-designated lifeline administrator.
  • Annual reporting deadlines: February 1 each year.
  • Annual audit by the Rhode Island Auditor General.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2027, with readiness for operations to be established prior to or by that date.

Potential impact

  • Increased reliability and independence of Rhode Island’s 988 crisis services.
  • Clear funding and governance structures intended to ensure compliance with federal 988 standards.
  • Enhanced transparency through annual financial and performance reporting and external audits.
  • Improved integration of crisis response with BH Link services, potentially improving crisis stabilization outcomes and reducing wait times for 988 contacts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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