Press Releases

Washington, DC – In response to bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced it will vote this month on a rule that requires all 988 Crisis Lifeline Calls be rerouted to local call centers. Last year, Rep. Molinaro started an advocacy effort and wrote a bill to direct the FCC to make this change.

Unlike 911 calls, which are routed to a local call center based on the caller’s current location, 988 calls are routed based on a person’s area code. If someone moves or travels, their call to 988 could be sent to a call center hundreds of miles away. 988 is not as effective if the person answering a call is unfamiliar with the caller’s location and cannot provide accurate, local resources.

In response to Rep. Molinaro’s bill, the FCC rule that follows will require all U.S. wireless carriers to implement georouting technology, so those who call 988 are directed to local call centers.

Rep. Molinaro said, “People in crisis need local support from experts who know their communities. This change will make the 988 Crisis Lifeline more effective and accessible for everyone, and I’m proud to have led the effort to get it done.”