Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding suicide prevention and crisis care services and a fee to fund such services.

This legislation provides Idahoans a more sustainable method of funding to address mental health crisis care and suicide prevention. In October 2020, President Trump signed into law the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 that designates 988 as the three-digit number for suicide prevention and mental health crisis needs (U.S. public law No: 116-172.). In July 2022, 988 will go live and replace the current national suicide prevention phone number 800-273-8255. This bill establishes the framework to collect 988 fees, which mirrors 911 emergency funds; designates allowable uses; requires coordination for service implementation; requires annual auditing, reporting, and review of the program; and ensures fee collection does not exceed anticipated need. The fee collectionisscheduledtobeginJanuary1,2022. Atthetimethislegislationisbeingconsideredatleast1/3ofall states have drafted and/or introduced comparable legislation, including neighboring states Utah and Montana. Whyitmatters: Idahohasthefifthhighestsuiciderateinthenationpercapitaandis65%higherthanthenational rate. Idaho experienced about 24.5 suicides per 100,000 Idahoans. Further, the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline received over 14,000 calls, chats, and texts in 2020 and has received an increasing volume of calls since launching its 24/7 service in 2014. Call volume and service needs are expected to increase significantly with 988 (regardless of passage of this bill). This fee will help divert future needs for General Fund support.