(a) The 9-8-8 Trust Fund is established as a separate and distinct non-lapsing fund in the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands. The funds must be used to maintain a territory-wide 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis system pursuant to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, the Federal Communication Commission’s rules adopted July 16, 2020, and national guidelines for crisis care and to support or enhance 9-8-8 services, including territory designated 9-8-8 hotline centers, the Crisis Teams, and crisis receiving and stabilization services.
(b) The Fund consists of the territory wide 9-8-8 fee revenue assessed on users under title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 3, section 58, and appropriations made by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
(c) The Public Service Commission shall collaborate with the local service providers to gather information and data relevant to the annual reporting of Emergency Services Surcharge and 9-8-8 Trust Fund deposits and expenditures and provide the information to the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Health for budgetary purposes. An annual report of fund deposits and expenditures must be submitted to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands and the Federal Communications Commission.