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HR 713

Celebrating the life of Louis Mansfield Johnson.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Cole

Georgia healthcare providers are urged to include 988 crisis line info in recorded messages to raise public awareness of the 988 Lifeline.

Bill text as passed House (HR713ER)
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Bill Summary · HR 713

Summary — H.R. 713 (House Resolution)

Title: Urging healthcare providers to help promote the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Introduced: January 23, 2025
Classification: House resolution (non‑binding)
Primary Sponsors: Beth Van Duyne; Johnny Chastain; Will Wade; Omari Crawford; Inga Willis; Rob Clifton; Deborah Silcox

Main purpose

H.R. 713 is a non‑binding resolution that urges healthcare providers in Georgia to include information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in recorded telephone messages and asks the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to work with community partners to develop a suggested script for those messages. The resolution aims to increase public awareness of 988 as a crisis resource distinct from 911.

Key provisions

  • Urges healthcare providers across Georgia to include information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in recorded information provided to patients and other callers (for example, on phone hold messages or voicemail prompts).
  • Urges the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to collaborate with community partners to develop a script healthcare providers can use when adding 988 information to recorded messages.
  • Directs the Clerk of the House to make copies of the resolution available to the DBHDD, the public, and the press.

Context and specifics

  • 988 is the national three‑digit number connecting callers, texters, and chat users to suicide prevention and mental health crisis support; it is separate from 911 public‑safety services.
  • In Georgia, 988 contacts are answered by the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) 24/7/365.
  • The resolution notes DBHDD is already working with partners to educate the public on when and how to use 988.

Who is affected

  • Healthcare providers in Georgia (hospitals, clinics, physician practices, behavioral health providers) — asked to voluntarily update recorded phone messages.
  • Patients, callers, and the general public — would receive increased awareness of 988.
  • Georgia DBHDD and community partners — requested to develop and disseminate a script.
  • GCAL may see increased public awareness and potential changes in contact volume.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced in the House on January 23, 2025; referred to Education and Workforce and Ways and Means committees.
  • House first readers: March 27, 2025; second readers: March 28, 2025.
  • Referred to Local & Consent Calendars April 7, 2025; considered May 22, 2025.
  • Laid before the House and adopted (non‑record vote) May 23, 2025; reported enrolled May 23, 2025.

Effect and limitations

  • The measure is an encouragement (resolution), not a law — it contains no mandates, funding, penalties, or compliance deadlines. Implementation depends on voluntary action by providers and coordination by DBHDD and partners. Potential impacts include broader public awareness of 988 and modest provider costs to update recorded messages.

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

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