988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2026

This bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by addressing challenges in transmitting geolocation information from callers. It mandates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a notice of inquiry within 270 days to evaluate the legal, privacy, and technical aspects of requiring telecommunications service providers and crisis centers to transmit caller location data to 988. This inquiry will also assess potential costs and funding requirements, including for the Veterans Crisis Line, and consider challenges for users of the 988 American Sign Language line. Concurrently, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive study and submit a report to Congress within 180 days. This report will detail the opportunities and challenges related to implementing geolocation for the 988 Lifeline, covering policy considerations, technical standards, and cost recovery mechanisms. The GAO is required to consult extensively with a broad range of stakeholders, including telecommunications providers, emergency communications centers, and mental health organizations, to inform its recommendations.