Human-Services Emergency Logistic Program Act of 2023 or the HELP Act of 2023
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to allot funding to states, tribal nations, and territories to improve the 2-1-1 and 9-8-8 telecommunication systems. The 2-1-1 system provides callers with information and referrals with respect to health and human services and other provider agencies, and the 9-8-8 system provides callers with mental health or suicide crisis support and resources through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The funds must be used solely for making the call systems available to all individuals in the service area, enhancing community information and referrals with respect to human services, or both. As a condition of this funding, recipients must appoint a lead entity to manage activities to improve the call systems. Recipients must also establish a Human Services State Oversight Council to provide the lead entity with guidance and oversight related to the call systems.
In addition, HHS must establish a Human Services National Board, comprised of federal and non-federal representatives, to manage the allocation of funds and evaluate the call systems.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3498 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3498
To facilitate nationwide accessibility and coordination of 211 services
and 988 services in order to provide information and referral to all
residents and visitors in the United States for mental health
emergencies, homelessness needs, other social and human services needs,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 18, 2023
Mr. Higgins of New York (for himself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To facilitate nationwide accessibility and coordination of 211 services
and 988 services in order to provide information and referral to all
residents and visitors in the United States for mental health
emergencies, homelessness needs, other social and human services needs,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Human-services Emergency Logistic
Program Act of 2023'' or the ``HELP Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1) To strengthen the existing 211 services and to
coordinate 211 and 988 services in States throughout the
Nation.
(2) To increase the availability, reliability, and
responsiveness of 211 and 988 services, and improve information
and referral through 211 and 988 services, across the country,
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
(3) To reduce the use of 911 services for circumstances not
related to law enforcement, fire, or medical emergencies.
(4) To more efficiently connect individuals with mental
health services and other needed human services.
(5) To reduce the arrests, incarcerations, and violent
interactions between law enforcement and individuals that
sometimes occur from inappropriate 911 emergency referrals.
SEC. 3. ALLOTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN NATIONWIDE ACCESSIBILITY AND
COORDINATION OF 211 AND 988 SERVICES FOR INFORMATION AND
REFERRAL FOR HUMAN SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.
(a) In General.--Out of amounts appropriated under section 4(a)
that remain after application of section 4(b), the Secretary of Health
and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary''),
acting through the Human Services National Board, shall make an
allotment to each State, in accordance with the formula developed under
subsection (b), to carry out a program for the purposes of--
(1) ensuring 211 and 988 services are directly accessible
to all individuals in each State;
(2) ensuring capacity within each State for 988 services
through the operational support of State designated crisis
centers within the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Network;
(3) strengthening the reliability, accessibility, and
responsiveness of methods of communication through 211 and 988
services, in order to provide information and referrals with
respect to human services provided through the respective 211
or 988 services, including mental health emergency resources
and suicide prevention resources provided through 988 services,
homelessness resources, domestic violence resources, resources
to identify and address child, adult, and elder abuse and
exploitation, caregiver and child care resources, and other
human service needs provided through 211 services; and
(4) reducing law enforcement interactions with people with
disabilities and individuals experiencing human-services or
mental health needs, and increasing the capacity to divert
calls from 911 or police departments to mental health and human
services responders, as appropriate.
(b) Allotments to States.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of making allotments under
this section, the Secretary shall develop a formula for
determining the allotment amounts for each State. Such formula
shall be based on population, population density, poverty rate,
and other evidence-based predictive data related to the needs
of the State for, and access to, mental health and other human
services. Allotments made under this section, and the services
provided through such allotments, shall not supplant funding
otherwise made available to the State for such purposes, or
services otherwise provided by the State for such purposes.
(2) Non-federal contributions.--A State may not be eligible
for an allotment under this section unless the State ensures
that at least 25 percent of the resources of the program funded
by the State allotment will be derived from non-Federal
sources, which may include in-kind contributions of goods or
services.
(3) Requirement regarding state allotment amounts.--Of the
amounts allotted to a State under this section, not more than
15 percent shall be allocated for evaluation, training, and
technical assistance, and for management and administration of
subgrants awarded under this section.
(4) Administrative costs.--From the allotment made to a
State under this subsection, the State Human Services
Collaborative may retain the greater of \1/2\ of 1 percent of
such allotment or $50,000, for administrative costs.
(c) Human Services National Board.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a Human
Services National Board for purposes of--
(A) managing and allocating funds under this
section, including making allotments to States;
(B) reviewing State plans for implementing and
maintaining 211 systems and coordinating the 211 and
988 systems;
(C) evaluating State 211 and 988 systems, including
with respect to capacity for answering and responding
to calls; and
(D) evaluating the coordination and collaboration
among 211, 988, and 911 services and other emergency
and call center systems.
(2) Membership.--
(A) In general.--The Human Services National Board
shall be comprised of not fewer than 19 members
selected by the Secretary in accordance with
subparagraph (B), of which 11 shall be permanent
members, and 8 shall serve 3-year, rotating terms.
(B) Members.--
(i) Permanent members.--The 11 permanent
members shall be comprised of one
representative from each of--
(I) the Alliance of Information and
Referral Systems;
(II) United Way Worldwide;
(III) the National Council on
Independent Living;
(IV) the National Association of
Area Agencies on Aging;
(V) the Bazelon Center for Mental
Health Law;
(VI) the Leadership Conference on
Civil and Human Rights;
(VII) the National Alliance to End
Homelessness;
(VIII) the Fraternal Order of
Police;
(IX) the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline;
(X) the National Domestic Violence
Hotline; and
(XI) the National Emergency Number
Association.
(ii) Rotating members.--The 8 rotating
members shall be selected by the Secretary,
with input from stakeholders and advocates, and
shall include--
(I) 1 representative of a faith-
based organization dedicated to
providing human services;
(II) 1 representative of an
organization dedicated to ensuring
racial and ethnic equity;
(III) 1 representative of a
disability organization operated by a
majority of people with disabilities;
(IV) 1 representative of an
organization representing older adults;
(V) 1 representative of an
organization representing Tribal and
Native peoples;
(VI) 1 representative of an
organization representing LGBTQ+
populations;
(VII) 1 representative of a secular
organization dedicated to providing
human services; and
(VIII) 1 representative of a law
enforcement labor or representative
organization.
(iii) Additional rotating members.--In
addition to the members appointed under clauses
(i) and (ii), the Secretary may appoint to the
Human Services National Board up to 4
additional rotating members to represent
specific populations or issues. Each such
member shall serve a 3 year term.
(iv) Ex officio members.--Ex officio
members of the Human Services National Board
shall include 1 representative from each of--
(I) the Department of Health and
Human Services;
(II) the Department of Education;
(III) the Department of Homeland
Security;
(IV) the Department of Housing and
Urban Development;
(V) the Department of Commerce; and
(VI) the Department of Labor.
(3) Fiscal agent.--The Office of the Secretary of Health
and Human Services shall be the fiscal agent of the Human
Services National Board.
(4) Chair and vice chair.--
(A) Chair selection.--The Chair of the Human
Services National Board shall be selected by the Human
Services National Board members, from among the
permanent members described in paragraph (2)(B)(i), and
shall serve a 5 year term.
(B) Vice chair selection.--The Vice Chair shall be
selected by the Human Services National Board members,
from among the rotating members described in paragraph
(2)(B)(ii), and shall serve a 3 year term.
(d) State Oversight Entities.--
(1) Human services collaboratives.--
(A) In general.--A State seeking an allotment under
this section, not later than 3 months after receiving
an allotment, shall appoint a lead entity (referred to
in this section as a ``Human Services Collaborative'')
for purposes of meeting the requirements of this
subsection.
(B) Human services collaborative.--A State lead
entity shall be treated as the State Human Services
Collaborative under this subsection if the entity--
(i)(I) is a State entity or an
independently incorporated nonprofit
organization serving as the lead implementing
agency coordinating and managing State and
regional projects and operations for 211 in the
State--
(aa) under State law; or
(bb) by order of the State public
utility commission;
(II) collaborates, to the extent
practicable, with the entities listed in clause
(ii); and
(III) collaborates with the Administrator
of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to
coordinate 988 operations with 211 operations
in the State; or
(ii) is a collaborative entity established
by the State for such purpose from among
representatives of--
(I) an informal, existing 211
statewide collaborative in the State;
(II) crisis centers within the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Network operating in the State;
(III) State agencies;
(IV) community-based organizations,
including--
(aa) organizations
representing older adults;
(bb) organizations
representing people with
disabilities;
(cc) where appropriate,
organizations representing
Native peoples and Tribal
nations;
(dd) organizations
representing people with mental
health disabilities; and
(ee) organizations led by
Black people, indigenous
people, or people of color
working to end racism;
(V) faith-based organizations
dedicated to providing human services;
(VI) nonprofit organizations
providing human services;
(VII) comprehensive and specialized
information and referral providers,
including area agencies on aging, aging
and disability resource centers, and
211 and 988 call centers;
(VIII) State and regional
foundations;
(IX) businesses headquartered in,
or with significant presence in, the
State; and
(X) law enforcement labor or
representative organizations
representing rank and file officers.
(2) Human services state oversight council.--
(A) In general.--Each State receiving an allotment
under this section shall establish a Human Services
State Oversight Council (referred to in this section as
a ``Council'') to provide guidance and oversight of the
211 and 988 systems to the State Human Services
Collaborative.
(B) Members.--
(i) In general.--Each Council shall be
comprised of not more than 25 stakeholders and
service providers appointed by the governor of
the State for staggered 3-year terms,
including--
(I) at least 3 representatives of
human service providers;
(II) at least 2 adults over the age
of 60;
(III) at least 3 people with
disabilities;
(IV) at least 3 additional people
with mental health disabilities;
(V) at least 1 individual with a
child under 18 years of age;
(VI) at least 1 individual caring
for an older adult;
(VII) at least 1 individual
providing support for a relative with a
disability;
(VIII) at least 3 individuals who
are members of a family that receives
means tested Federal benefits, such as
temporary assistance for needy families
under part A of title IV of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.),
the supplemental nutrition assistance
program established under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.), or the supplemental security
income program established under title
XVI of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1381 et seq.);
(IX) at least 1 business
representative; and
(X) at least 1 representative of a
law enforcement labor or representative
organization.
(ii) Conflicts of interest.--No Council
member may be an employee of an entity that
receives a subgrant from the State Human
Services Collaborative.
(iii) Chair and vice chair.--With respect
to each Council, the Council shall select from
among its members a Chair, who shall be a
recipient of human services, and a Vice Chair,
who shall be a provider of human services or a
business representative.
(C) Duties.--Each Council shall be responsible
for--
(i) reviewing the annual State application
to the Human Services National Board;
(ii) reviewing the annual Human Services
Collaborative budget;
(iii) identifying topics for, and ensuring
an evaluation of, the State 211 and 988
services, consistent with subsection (h)(2);
(iv) monitoring the State 211 and 988
services to ensure that such services are
racially equitable; and
(v) making recommendations to increase the
awareness and effectiveness of 211 and 988
services in all parts and communities of the
State.
(e) Application.--The Human Services Collaborative of a State, on
behalf of each State seeking an allocation under this section, acting
under the direction of the State governor, shall submit an annual
application to the Human Services National Board for such an
allocation, at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require, including the following:
(1) A description of how the Human Services Collaborative
will--
(A) ensure that every resident of the State with
phone or internet service can connect to the 211 and
988 services at no charge;
(B) make available, throughout the State, 211 and
988 service information and referral with respect to
human services, including information about the manner
in which the Human Services Collaborative will develop,
sustain, and evaluate the State's 211 and 988 services
and ensure sufficient State capacity for answering and
responding to calls to 988;
(C) coordinate with 911 systems and law enforcement
agencies to divert calls to mental health and human
services responders who can assist individuals and link
individuals with voluntary, community-based services,
as appropriate; and
(D) use annual 211 and 988 operational data to
inform the Collaborative's approach to assessing the
program and establishing oversight metrics.
(2) Information on the sources of funding and other
resources for the State 211 and 988 services for purposes of
meeting the requirements under subsection (b)(2).
(3) Information describing how the Human Services
Collaborative will provide to all individuals in the State, to
the extent practicable, a statewide database available via the
internet, that will allow such individuals to search for
programs or services that are available from mental health and
human services providers in the State.
(4) Assurances that all activities and information provided
by the 211 and 988 services and all entities receiving
subgrants pursuant to this section will be directly accessible
according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), and part 1194 of title 36, Code of
Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations).
(5) Any additional information the Secretary may require.
(f) Subgrants.--
(1) Authority.--For purposes of carrying out a program in a
State, the State Human Services Collaborative may make
subgrants to such entities as the Collaborative determines
appropriate, which may include subgrants to provide funds--
(A) for the provision of 211 and 988 services;
(B) for the operation and maintenance of 211 and
988 call centers;
(C) for the collection and display of information
in the statewide database;
(D) for increasing public awareness of 211 and 988
services in the State in collaboration with 911
services and other emergency call centers;
(E) for coordination of the State's 211 and 988
services, including the collection, accessibility, and
display of information through a national data
platform;
(F) to conduct statewide and regional planning for
211 and 988 services;
(G) for start-up costs of extending 211 and 988
services to unserved areas, including costs of software
and hardware upgrades and telecommunications and
internet costs;
(H) to ensure that 211 and 988 services are
directly accessible, consistent with the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.),
section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29
U.S.C. 794d), and part 1194 of title 36, Code of
Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations);
(I) for staffing;
(J) for training;
(K) for activities related to accreditation;
(L) for the evaluation of State 211 and 988
activities and capacity;
(M) for internet hosting and site development and
maintenance for a statewide database;
(N) for cloud-based data and messaging capacity;
(O) to encourage coordination and collaboration of
211 and 988 services within the State and ensure
coordination and collaboration with local 911 Public
Safety Answering Points;
(P) to integrate or share resources and service-
level data with national platforms hosted by the Human
Services National Board;
(Q) to prepare and submit State and national
reporting requirements and other activities approved by
the Human Services State Oversight Council;
(R) to provide stipends and travel reimbursement
for individuals with disabilities and their family
members for costs associated with serving on the Human
Services State Oversight Council; or
(S) to carry out other activities approved by the
Human Services National Board on behalf of the
Secretary.
(2) Considerations.--In awarding a subgrant under this
subsection, a lead entity shall consider--
(A) the ability of the entity seeking the subgrant
to carry out activities or provide services consistent
with this Act;
(B) the extent to which the award of the subgrant
will facilitate equitable geographic distribution of
subgrants under this section to ensure that rural
communities have access to 211 and 988 services; and
(C) the extent to which the recipient of the
subgrant will establish and maintain cooperative
relationships with specialized information and referral
centers, including Child Care Resource and Referral
Agencies, crisis centers, referral agencies for aging
or disability services, 911 call centers, 311 call
centers, and other call centers, as applicable.
(3) Preference.--In awarding a subgrant under this
subsection, a lead entity shall give preference to
organizations that work with people with disabilities who are
Black, Indigenous, or other people of color.
(g) Use of State Allotment and Subgrant Amounts.--
(1) In general.--Amounts awarded as State allotments or
subgrants under this section shall be used solely for either or
both of the following purposes:
(A) To make available 211 and 988 services to all
individuals in a State via voice, short message service
or other messaging, internet, or other
telecommunication methods.
(B) For community information and referral with
respect to human services, among individuals, families,
and agencies seeking such services and the providers of
such services.
(2) Requirements.--In making 211 and 988 services
available, the recipient of a State allotment or subgrant
shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) abide by the Key Standards for 211 Centers as
specified in the Standards and Quality Indicators for
Professional Information and Referral published by the
Alliance of Information and Referral Systems for 211
services;
(B) abide by the clinical standards and guidelines
specified by the Administrator of the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline for 988 crisis centers that are
part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Network; and
(C) collaborate with public and private human
services organizations and existing national, regional,
and local information and referral systems to provide
an exhaustive and comprehensive database of services
from which to provide information or referrals to
individuals using the 211 and 988 services.
(3) Use of subgrant funds.--Amounts awarded through a
subgrant under subsection (f) may be used by the subgrant
recipient for the purposes described in subsection (f)(1).
(h) Reports and Evaluations.--
(1) Annual reports.--The State Human Services Collaborative
of each State receiving an allotment under this section shall
submit to the Human Services National Board, not later than 60
days after the end of each fiscal year in which such allotment
is made, a report on the program funded by the State allotment.
Each report shall--
(A) describe the activities or services funded by
the State allotment;
(B) assess the effectiveness of such activities and
services in making available, to all residents of the
State, 211 and 988 services for emergency mental health
services and information and referrals with respect to
human services in accordance with the provisions of
this section;
(C) assess the effectiveness of collaboration with
human services resource and referral entities and
service providers;
(D) include the percentage of calls to 911 or to
police that were diverted to mental health and other
human services responders; and
(E) describe the services to which individuals were
linked through the 211 and 988 services and any efforts
to track outcomes.
(2) Evaluation.--Each State Human Services Collaborative
shall award a contract to an independent entity to conduct an
evaluation of the State 211 and 988 systems biennially. The
evaluation shall address--
(A) any barriers to access to the State 211 and 988
services for residents and visitors;
(B) the effectiveness of the State 211 and 988
services at connecting residents to needed human
services;
(C) the effectiveness of collaborations among 211
and 988 partners;
(D) the effects of the State 211 and 988 services
on 911 law enforcement, fire, and medical emergency
services;
(E) the comprehensiveness of the information in the
State 211 and 988 database;
(F) public awareness of the State 211 and 988
services;
(G) user satisfaction with the State 211 and 988
services; and
(H) other topics identified by the Human Services
State Oversight Councils.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) 211 service.--The term ``211 service'' means providing
residents with information and referrals, via voice telephone,
text telephone, short message service, text, internet phone, or
other telecommunication methods, with respect to health and
human services and other provider agencies.
(2) 988 service.--The term ``988 service'' means the
provision of mental health or suicide crisis support and
resources through the universal telephone number within the
United States designated for the purpose of the national
suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system
operating through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
(3) Human services.--The term ``human services'' means
services that--
(A) assist individuals in becoming more self-
sufficient, in preventing dependency, and in
strengthening family relationships;
(B) address social determinants of health;
(C) support personal and social development; or
(D) help ensure the health and well-being of
individuals, families, and communities.
(4) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms ``Indian
Tribe'' and ``tribal organization'' have the meanings given
such terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the several States,
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or an Indian
Tribe or tribal organization.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this Act--
(1) $550,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025, of
which, each such fiscal year, $350,000,000 shall be allocated
for 211 services and $200,000,000 shall be allocated for 988
services; and
(2) $450,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through
2030, of which, each such fiscal year, $300,000,000 shall be
allocated for 211 services and $150,000,000 shall be allocated
for 988 services.
(b) Reservation.--Of the amount appropriated under this section for
a fiscal year, the Human Services National Board may reserve \1/2\ of 1
percent for administrative and national coordinating activities.
(c) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to this section
shall remain available until expended.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. McGarvey asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3498, a bill originally introduced by Representative Higgins (NY), for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
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