TRENTON, N.J. — The Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee advanced legislation that would establish a dedicated funding source to support New Jersey’s statewide 9-8-8 Suicide and Behavioral Health Crisis System of Care.
The bill, S-3013, sponsored by Sens. Joe Vitale and Vin Gopal, would create a 40-cent monthly fee per phone line for subscribers of commercial mobile service or IP-enabled voice service in New Jersey. The fee would not apply to individuals receiving benefits under the federal Lifeline program.
Under the proposal, telecommunications companies would collect the fee and remit the revenue to the Division of Taxation. The funds would be deposited into a newly established 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline Trust Fund Account in the State Treasury.
Money in the trust fund would be used to support services across the 9-8-8 continuum of care, including call, text and chat response; mobile crisis outreach; crisis stabilization services; community-based behavioral health supports; and public awareness campaigns.
“The 9-8-8 program has become a lifeline for thousands of New Jersey residents experiencing mental health or substance use crises, but the system cannot be sustained on unstable or one-time funding,” said Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex). “This bill creates a modest, fair, and predictable funding source, similar to how we fund 9-1-1, that will allow New Jersey to strengthen crisis response, expand services, and meet rising demand, especially as federal support becomes less reliable.”
Senator Gopal (D-Monmouth) emphasized the need for stable funding amid changes at the federal level.
“New Jersey has stepped up to ensure people get help when they need it most, but recent federal cuts, particularly to specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth, underscore why states must take responsibility for protecting and expanding crisis care,” Senator Gopal said. “This legislation ensures we can continue building a system that is responsive, equitable, and accessible to everyone who reaches out for help.”
New Jersey currently funds 9-8-8 operations through annual budget appropriations. In fiscal year 2025, the state allocated $28.8 million to support the Lifeline, which handled more than 158,000 contacts.
Although 9-8-8 is federally mandated, federal law does not provide ongoing funding for state call centers. Federal law does authorize states to enact telecommunications fees to support 9-8-8 services, and several states have adopted similar measures.
