Federal law now requires the 9-8-8 suicide prevention lifeline to take active steps to eliminate known cybersecurity vulnerabilities and protect itself from cyberattacks. The hotline's network administrator and all participating local and regional crisis centers must report identified vulnerabilities and incidents to the Department of Health and Human Services within a reasonable timeframe. Crisis centers are responsible for overseeing the technology they use to deliver services, unless their network participation agreement assigns that responsibility to the administrator. The Comptroller General must complete a cybersecurity risk study and report findings to Congress within 180 days of enactment.
Transparency & Accountability
- Reporting requirements — network admin and crisis centers must disclose cyber incidents to HHS
- GAO oversight — Comptroller General must evaluate 9-8-8 cybersecurity risks within 180 days
Congressional Summary
9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility ActThis bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to undertake efforts to protect the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from cybersecurity threats. (The lifeline is a three-digit number that connects callers in suicidal crisis or mental health distress to a national network of crisis centers.)The bill also establishes related reporting requirements. Specifically, the network administrator for the lifeline must report identified cybersecurity incidents and vulnerabilities to SAMHSA, and local and regional crisis centers that participate in the lifeline must report identified cybersecurity incidents and vulnerabilities to the network administrator.Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must conduct a study that evaluates cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities associated with the lifeline and report the findings to Congress.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-02-04
- Date Added
- 2026-06-24
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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