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S3199119th Congress

988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Barrasso, John [R-WY]

Passed Senate

Summary

Improve transmission of geolocation for 988 Lifeline calls. This bill would push federal agencies to study whether and how dispatchable location and other geolocation data can be shared with 988 crisis centers and 911 centers while balancing consumer privacy.

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  • People in crisis and families: Could lead to ways for crisis centers and emergency dispatchers to get more precise location information to help locate callers during emergencies.
  • Emergency responders and local crisis centers: Directs the Federal Communications Commission to start a notice of inquiry within 270 days and the Government Accountability Office to finish a study within 180 days. Both must examine legal authority, technical standards, privacy protections, cost recovery, and how location data would transfer between 988 and 911 centers.
  • Telecoms, device makers, and accessibility advocates: Requires GAO consultations with telecommunications providers, handset manufacturers, 911 system service providers, local crisis centers, mental health organizations, and people serving Deaf and hard-of-hearing populations to study technical and accessibility challenges such as direct video calling and video relay service.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Federal reviews on 988 caller location

If enacted, the federal government would study how to send caller location with 988 crisis calls. The FCC would start a review within 270 days. It would examine legal authority, privacy, technical standards, costs for providers and crisis centers, Deaf video calling, and how 988 centers would share location with 911. The GAO would report to Congress within 180 days on policy, technical, and funding needs. GAO would consult phone companies, handset makers, 911 and 988 centers, the Veterans Crisis Line, SAMHSA, mental health groups, Deaf-service experts, and state and local officials.

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

  • Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

    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

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 11/19/2025

  • Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 11/19/2025

  • Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

    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
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