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Bill

A 5972

Relates to providing language translation services to accommodate census self-reporting

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Otis and 1 co-sponsor

Imposes a $0.40/month per-line surcharge on mobile and IP services (excluding Lifeline users) to fund NJ’s 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention crisis system via a dedicated state Trust Fund.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · A 5972

Summary of New Jersey Assembly Bill A-5972

Overview

  • Bill number: A-5972
  • Title: Relates to providing language translation services to accommodate census self-reporting (note: the introduced text primarily establishes a 9-8-8 fee to fund suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis services; the title may reflect an amended or broader scope)
  • Purpose (per introduced text): Establish a statewide 9-8-8 crisis hotline system and fund, consistent with the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, to enhance routing, response, and services for the 9-8-8 Lifeline and related crisis services.
  • Status: Referred to Governmental Operations
  • Introduced: November 13, 2025
  • Sponsors: Karines Reyes (primary), Steven Otis (cosponsor)
  • Related bills: S-4502, S-6766 (companions)

What the bill would do (Key Provisions)

1) Imposition of a 9-8-8 Monthly Fee

  • A new monthly surcharge of $0.40 per line per month would be imposed on each resident who is a subscriber of:
    • Commercial mobile services
    • IP-enabled voice services
  • Exemption: The fee does not apply to mobile service users who receive Lifeline benefits under federal program rules (Lifeline program as defined in 47 C.F.R. 54.401).

2) Collection and Enforcement

  • The fee would be collected by the mobile or IP-enabled service provider on each periodic bill.
  • The bill clarifies that this is not an expansion of provider enforcement authority; rather, the State may bring actions against customers for nonpayment, with cooperation from the providers as needed. The Director of the Division of Taxation would be involved in the process as prescribed.

3) Revenue Allocation and Administration

  • Monthly collection of the fees; payments reported to the Director of the Division of Taxation and credited to the 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline Trust Fund Account.
  • The director would prescribe reporting and payment processes, subject to applicable state law, with the State Treasurer crediting revenue to the fund.

4) Establishment of the Trust Fund

  • A new special account is created within the General Fund: the “9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline Trust Fund Account.”
  • Annual appropriations from the fund would support:
    • Efficient routing and response for all 9-8-8 Lifeline contacts (calls, chats, texts)
    • Provision of acute mental health services and crisis response (e.g., Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams, crisis stabilization services, Crisis Stabilization and Receiving Centers, Crisis Diversion Homes, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics)
    • Public awareness and advertising campaigns about 9-8-8 services
  • Expenditures would follow the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 and related rules.

5) Effective Date

  • The act proposes immediate effect upon enactment.

Who and what would be affected

  • Individuals with eligible mobile or IP-enabled voice service plans (excluding Lifeline beneficiaries)
  • Mobile and IP-enabled service providers (collections and reporting)
  • The Treasury and state fiscal offices (depositing and managing the new fund)
  • State agencies providing 9-8-8 Lifeline services (routing, crisis response, and related programs)

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction: November 13, 2025
  • Legislative history indicates referral to Governmental Operations (February 25, 2025 and again on the later reference)
  • Next steps: Committee consideration by Assembly Governmental Operations and Health Committees, potential floor action, and eventual passage or revision.

Potential Impacts

  • Increases in dedicated funding for 9-8-8 Lifeline operations, crisis response, and public awareness
  • Streamlined funding dedicated to crisis stabilization and mobile crisis services
  • Administrative process to collect and allocate the fee through existing state tax and treasury channels
  • Exemption for Lifeline beneficiaries maintains equity for low-income users who already receive federal assistance

Note: The bill’s title mentions language translation services for census self-reporting, but the introduced content focuses on funding and operations for 9-8-8 crisis services. Readers should watch for any textual revisions that may align the title with the body of the bill.

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

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