PRINTER'S NO. 2218
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
252
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY MADDEN, PROBST, BRENNAN, HILL-EVANS, BOROWSKI,
SANCHEZ, OTTEN, FRANKEL, SAPPEY, WEBSTER, SCOTT, DALEY,
TAKAC, VENKAT, ROZZI, T. DAVIS, KINSEY, BURGOS, KINKEAD AND
BOYD, OCTOBER 27, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, OCTOBER 27, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish the
911/988 Technical Advisory Board and conduct a study and
issue recommendations on interoperability between and across
911 and 988.
WHEREAS, The traditional emergency response system 911 is not
always adequately equipped to handle mental health crises
leading to unfortunate outcomes that can result in harm to
individuals in need of mental health support; and
WHEREAS, A person experiencing a mental health crisis is more
likely to encounter law enforcement than to receive treatment or
crisis intervention; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes that
historically crisis response services placed marginalized
communities at a disproportionate risk of poor outcomes and
criminal justice involvement; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of 988 as a dedicated number for
mental health crises is a significant step toward improving
access to critical mental health services and reducing the
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
stigma associated with seeking help; and
WHEREAS, Mobile crisis units have been proven to be an
effective means of deescalating crises, connecting individuals
with appropriate mental health services and reducing unnecessary
incarceration or hospitalization; and
WHEREAS, 911 has long served as the primary emergency number
for accessing assistance in situations involving life-
threatening emergencies, including medical, fire and law
enforcement emergencies; and
WHEREAS, The integration and coordination of services between
911 and 988 is essential to ensure a comprehensive and effective
response to emergencies that involve mental health crises,
particularly in situations where both types of crises may
intersect; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon state governments to explore
and establish mechanisms for the seamless integration of 911 and
988 services to ensure the safety and well-being of their
residents; and
WHEREAS, A Joint State Government Commission study would be a
valuable and comprehensive approach to assess the potential
challenges, benefits and necessary steps for integrating 911 and
988 services within this Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to establish the 911/988 Technical
Advisory Board consisting of, but not limited to, the following
individuals to conduct a study and provide recommendations on
the interoperability between and across 911 and 988:
(1) The Speaker of the House of Representatives or a
designee.
(2) The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives
20230HR0252PN2218 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
or a designee.
(3) The Deputy Secretary of the Office of Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Services of the Department of Human
Services or a designee.
(4) The Deputy Adjutant General of the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs or a designee.
(5) The Insurance Commissioner or a designee.
(6) A representative from the Commonwealth Office of
Digital Experience.
(7) A representative from the Department of Drug and
Alcohol Programs.
(8) A representative from the Behavioral Health Council.
(9) At least two representatives from the 911 Advisory
Board.
(10) A representative from the Pennsylvania State
Police.
(11) Representatives from other Commonwealth agencies or
entities that the Joint State Government Commission deems
appropriate.
(12) The coordinator of a city of the first class.
(13) The coordinator of a county of the second class.
(14) The coordinator of a county of the second class A.
(15) The coordinator of a county of the third or fourth
class.
(16) Two coordinators of a county of the fifth, sixth,
seventh or eighth class.
(17) A representative of employees working for county
behavioral health agencies and agencies who subcontract with
county behavioral health agencies.
(18) A representative from an organization advocating
20230HR0252PN2218 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
for:
(i) Individuals who have experienced homelessness.
(ii) Individuals of local immigrant communities.
(iii) Individuals from the LGBTQ+ community.
(iv) Individuals who have an intellectual disability
or are on the Autism spectrum.
(v) Individuals who are of racial or ethnic
minorities.
(vi) Equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
(vii) Individuals with substance use disorder or
substance misuse.
(19) A representative from the emergency medical
services field.
(20) A representative from a behavioral health managed
care organization;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, in
consultation with the 911/988 Technical Advisory Board, shall
compile a report that, at a minimum, includes all of the
following:
(1) Recommendations for innovation technology for the
operation of 911 and 988.
(2) 911 and 988 infrastructure, staffing and training
standards that ensure Statewide access to crisis counselors
through telephone calls, texts and chat, 24 hours per day,
seven days per week.
(3) The appropriate training to support 911 personnel
staff when coordinating with 988 staff.
(4) Strategies for identifying and supporting investment
in new technology to triage calls and link individuals to
20230HR0252PN2218 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
follow-up care.
(5) Protocols to support the effective communication and
coordination of responders, law enforcement and fire and
ambulance services during a behavioral health crisis.
(6) Appropriate actions to consider when a suicidal or
behavioral health crisis is routed to 988 as an alternative
to law enforcement.
(7) Protocols to divert calls from the 911 dispatch and
response system to a 988 crisis call center for risk
assessment and engagement, including assessment for mobile
crisis or community care team dispatch.
(8) Protocols to provide for equity in behavioral health
crisis treatment that provide for culturally, linguistically
and developmentally appropriate responses to individuals
experiencing behavioral health crises in recognition that,
historically, crisis response services placed marginalized
communities at disproportionate risk of poor outcomes and
criminal justice involvement.
(9) Training on providing linguistically and culturally
competent care and follow-up services to individuals routed
to the 988 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis
hotline consistent with guidance and policies established by
the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
establish the 911/988 Technical Advisory Board within three
months of the adoption of this resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue
the report with its finding to the chair and minority chair of
the Human Services Committee of the House of Representatives
20230HR0252PN2218 - 5 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
within 180 days of the adoption of this resolution.
20230HR0252PN2218 - 6 -
1