PRINTER'S NO. 3560
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2533
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY PROBST, KHAN, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
BOROWSKI, HADDOCK, MADDEN, GALLAGHER, DALEY, WEBSTER,
FREEMAN, KENYATTA, ROZZI, GIRAL, McANDREW AND STEELE,
AUGUST 12, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, AUGUST 12, 2024
AN ACT
Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for mental health crisis
response; and imposing duties on the Department of Human
Services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 53A
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE
Sec.
53A01. Definitions.
53A02. 988 public education campaign.
§ 53A01. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"911 system." As defined in section 5302 (relating to
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definitions).
"988 crisis call center." A call center designated by the
Commonwealth to respond to Statewide or regional calls from the
988 suicide and crisis lifeline.
"988 suicide and crisis lifeline." The universal telephone
number within the United States designated for the purpose of
the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline
system operating through the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline program in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 290bb-36c
(relating to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program).
"Campaign." The 988 public education campaign described
under section 53A02 (relating to 988 public education campaign).
"Department." The Department of Human Services of the
Commonwealth.
§ 53A02. 988 public education campaign.
(a) Implementation.--No later than 180 days after the
effective date of this subsection, the department shall
implement a campaign to increase public understanding and
engagement with the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline in this
Commonwealth to:
(1) Promote awareness of 988 services and other local
helplines and resources to support individuals during a
mental health crisis.
(2) Encourage the appropriate use of the 988 suicide and
crisis lifeline as an alternative to the 911 system.
(3) Provide information about suicide prevention
measures and the warning signs of suicide.
(b) Consultation.--To administer the campaign and ensure
that the messages of the campaign are effectively tailored, the
department shall consult with the following:
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(1) The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
(2) 988 crisis call centers in this Commonwealth.
(3) Advocacy groups focused on suicide prevention,
including organizations that address the unique challenges of
suicide prevention in both rural and urban environments.
(4) Crisis counselors and other mental health
professionals specializing in suicide prevention.
(5) Individuals with lived experiences of mental health
or substance use crisis.
(6) Advocacy groups that support immigrants and non-
English speakers.
(c) Materials and resources.--
(1) To administer the campaign, the department:
(i) Shall utilize a variety of materials and
resources, including print media, social media graphics,
posters and displays, which shall be:
(A) Posted on the publicly accessible Internet
website of the department.
(B) Designed to be mobile-friendly.
(C) Available in multiple languages, as deemed
necessary by the department.
(D) Designed in a manner that is culturally
responsive.
(ii) May utilize existing materials and resources,
including 988-related materials and resources developed
by the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration.
(2) All materials and resources that are produced by the
department for the campaign must comply with the act of
December 20, 2015 (P.L.497, No.90), known as the Taxpayer-
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Funded Advertising Transparency Act.
(d) Evaluation and report.--Within one year of the effective
date of this subsection, the department shall submit a report to
the General Assembly that includes the following:
(1) A description of the activities performed in the
campaign.
(2) An assessment of the effectiveness of the activities
performed in the campaign.
(3) The volume of calls to the 988 suicide and crisis
lifeline during the campaign.
(4) Any findings or recommendations identified from the
consultation described under subsection (b).
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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