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Bill Would Increase Mobile Crisis Services
HB 2757 imposes a new tax on telecommunications services, in addition to the telecom tax that currently funds 9-1-1, to build out the 9-8-8 behavioral health crisis call system in Oregon.
In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to create 9-8-8 as the nationwide hotline to connect people in mental health crisis to suicide and behavioral health professionals. It is considered the 9-1-1 of mental health and substance use crises.
HB 2757 has a local pre-emption on any tax, fee or surcharge to fund 9-8-8 services, and the -2 amendment narrows the pre-emption to any tax, fee or surcharge on telecommunications services to fund 9-8-8 services.
Some cities, such as Eugene and Portland, have already stood up mobile crisis response programs, and other cities have looked into replicating similar models.
The -2 amendment requires cities with mobile crisis programs to have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the county that:
- Specifies jurisdictional responsibilities for providing response;
- Provides the city will comply with OHA rules; and
- Addresses funding responsibilities of community mental health providers.
Please reach out to the LOC if you would like to provide further comment or feedback on this piece of legislation.
Contact: Lindsay Tenes, Lobbyist – ltenes@orcities.org
Last Updated 3/10/23
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