House advances long‐term funding for 988 Lifeline

Oklahoma lawmakers advanced House Bill 4092, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Norwood (R‐Owasso), to create a 988 Lifeline Revolving Fund aimed at sustaining the state's crisis line as federal funding expires in September, according to a March 23 post by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The bill would establish a dedicated fund to receive future federal dollars, state appropriations, grants and private contributions but would not appropriate funding. According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), the 988 contract totals $5.76 million, reflecting service expansion and the loss of federal support. The measure also designates ODMHSAS as the lead agency for oversight of suicide prevention and crisis services, which currently handle more than 7,000 calls per month state‐wide. The department will coordinate with designated 988 Lifeline crisis centers and establish rules to improve communication, data sharing and service delivery across emergency response systems.