988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Passed Senate
Summary
Geolocation for 988 calls would be the central focus: this bill would push federal agencies to study how to reliably send caller location, including dispatchable location, with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It creates a structured review of legal, technical, privacy, and funding barriers before any mandate is set.
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- Callers and families: Seeks ways to get more precise location data to crisis responders to speed help and improve outcomes. It also looks specifically at video and relay access for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
- Emergency responders and 911 centers: Requires evaluation of technologies and methods to transfer location information from 988 centers to 911 public safety answering points and emergency communications centers.
- Service providers and crisis systems: Directs the Federal Communications Commission to open a notice of inquiry and the Government Accountability Office to deliver a study. The FCC action must start within 270 days and the GAO report is due within 180 days, covering legal authority, privacy safeguards, technical standards, and cost or funding options while consulting many stakeholders.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal review of 988 caller location
If enacted, the FCC would start a formal study within 270 days on sending location with 988 calls. It would ask for public input on legal authority, privacy, and technical steps for phone, 911, and 988 systems. It would review costs and how providers and crisis lines could recover those costs. It would also study access for Deaf users using direct video or video relay service. It would examine ways to share precise location from 988 centers to 911. The GAO would deliver a separate report within 180 days on these topics. This would not change services or bills now, but it would guide future rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
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
Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
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.
View on Congress.gov