988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Passed Senate
Summary
Geolocation information is the focus of this bill. It would direct the Federal Communications Commission to study ways to make caller location available from 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline calls to crisis centers and to 911, and to address video calling access for people who use American Sign Language.
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- Families and people in crisis: It would aim to make dispatchable location and other geolocation more available to 988 centers so crisis workers can find callers. It would also address technical barriers so Deaf or hard of hearing callers can use the 988 ASL line via direct video calls and video relay service.
- Emergency responders and 911 centers: The FCC would examine methods to transfer location data from 988 centers to public safety answering points and consider technical standards for interoperability. The Government Accountability Office would produce a report within 180 days on opportunities and challenges, including privacy, legal authority to mandate transmission, and cost recovery.
- Telecommunications providers, handset makers, and crisis lines: The FCC notice of inquiry, due within 270 days after enactment, would evaluate technical feasibility and legal authorities to require location transmission. It would also consider potential costs and funding or cost recovery options for telecoms, the 988 Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line, and local crisis centers.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Defines key 988 and 911 terms
If enacted, the bill would set clear meanings for terms it uses. It would use existing telecom rules for words like “dispatchable location,” “911 system service provider,” and “emergency communications center.” It would also name the Senate and House committees that receive reports. These definitions would guide who is covered by the bill’s studies and any later rules. They would not by themselves change benefits, costs, or funding.
Studies to add location to 988 calls
If enacted, the FCC would start a public inquiry within 270 days to study sending caller location with 988 calls. The GAO would deliver a report to Congress within 180 days on how to implement geolocation, including dispatchable location. Both efforts would review privacy protections and the legal authority to require location sharing. They would look at technical standards for phone companies, 911 centers, and local crisis centers, and the costs and cost recovery for telecoms, the 988 Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line, and local crisis centers. They would also address access for people who use the 988 American Sign Language video line and how to pass location from 988 centers to 911. These steps would gather information only and would not by themselves require companies to send location or provide funding.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
WY • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Shelley Capito
WV • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Deb Fischer
NE • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
GA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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