--- title: HR 878. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr878 cite_as: HR 878, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr878 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr878.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr878/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71911 date: 2025-03-31 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr877.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr879.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr878.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 878 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-31 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Will Wade - Deborah Silcox - Rob Clifton - Inga Willis - Johnny Chastain - Omari Crawford text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR878/2025 upstream_id: 2017613 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - mental health - suicide prevention - 988 crisis line - behavioral health - legislative resolution --- # HR 878. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; commend ## Text 25 LC 112 3604 House Resolution 878 By: Representatives Wade of the 9th, Silcox of the 53rd, Clifton of the 131st, Willis of the 55th, Chastain of the 7th, and others A RESOLUTION Commending the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, behavioral health conditions, including mental and substance use disorders, are2 critical public health issues, and 988 was established to improve access to crisis services in3 response to the country's growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs; and4 WHEREAS, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a direct, national three-digit number that5 connects individuals with suicide prevention and mental health crisis resources, which are6 distinct from the public safety purposes of 911; and7 WHEREAS, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides crucial s upport for people in8 distress, reducing the burden on emergency rooms and law enforcement; and9 WHEREAS, 988 calls, texts, and chats in the State of Georgia are answered by the Georgia10 Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year; and11 WHEREAS, this vital service has the potential to save lives and foster healthier communities12 by reducing stigma, promoting help-seeking behavior, and ensuri ng that people in crisis13 receive timely and appropriate care; and14 H. R. 878 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3604 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable mental health resource15 be appropriately honored during this special time.16 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that17 the members of this body commend the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for its outstanding18 service on behalf of citizens in need and express best wishes for continued success.19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized20 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the21 public and the press.22 H. R. 878 - 2 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House resolution formally commends the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for helping connect Georgians in mental health crises with support services. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a change to state law. It recognizes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the national three-digit number that connects people to suicide prevention and mental health crisis support, as distinct from 911's public safety role. The resolution notes that calls, texts, and chats to 988 in Georgia are answered around the clock by the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL). It states the service can reduce strain on emergency rooms and law enforcement and help more people get timely mental health care. The resolution commends the Lifeline for its service and directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press. ### What it does - Formally commends the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives for its service to citizens in crisis. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. - Does not create any new program, funding, requirement, or change to Georgia law; it is a statement of praise only. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL), which answers Georgia's 988 calls, texts, and chats. It also touches Georgians who use mental health crisis services, emergency rooms, and law enforcement agencies referenced in the text. ### Why it matters Because this is a commendation rather than a law, it does not change funding, staffing, or rules for the 988 Lifeline or GCAL. Its practical effect is symbolic recognition, formally acknowledging a service that Georgians already rely on for mental health crisis support. ### Key provisions - The preamble (whereas clauses) describes 988 as a national three-digit line for suicide prevention and mental health crises, separate from 911's public safety function. - States that GCAL answers all Georgia 988 calls, texts, and chats 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. - The resolved clause commends the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for its service and wishes it continued success. - A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available for public and press distribution. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-31) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-31) - Sponsors: Will Wade, Deborah Silcox, Rob Clifton, Inga Willis, Johnny Chastain, Omari Crawford - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71911 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr878.md?full=1