What this is
A federal bill to strengthen the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline for Americans in need.
The 9-8-8 Connect Act is a bill moving through Congress to strengthen how we support people in crisis. It focuses on improving the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline, a service that helps people when they are struggling with mental health or facing emergencies. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on March 26, 2026.
The 9-8-8 lifeline is already a critical resource in our communities. It gives people a quick way to reach trained counselors and support when they need it most. The bill aims to improve connections and make the service stronger and more available to everyone.
Supporting crisis services in our community means more people can get help when facing mental health challenges or emergencies. When someone can reach trained support quickly, it can make a real difference in their life. This bill is part of our nation's work to make sure all Americans have access to the help they need.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text 9-8-8 right now. This bill shows Congress is working to strengthen that lifeline for all of us. You can follow the bill's progress online at Congress.gov to see what comes next.
Key details
- Bill Number: HR 8122
- Congress Session: 119th Congress
- Latest Action Date: March 26, 2026
- Committee: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
About Texas Legislature
The Texas Legislature is the state legislature of Texas, consisting of the House of Representatives with 150 members and the Senate with 31 members. Meeting in regular session every two years, the legislature passes stat…
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- Phone
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Why it matters
This is part of Our Voice — civic life, elections, and accountability.
How this affects households
Under $30,000
Families in this bracket often can't afford private mental health care and rely heavily on free crisis services. Better 9-8-8 support means easier access to help during emergencies.
$30,000-$60,000
These households may have some insurance but still struggle with mental health costs. Improved crisis services provide a valuable safety net when professional help is needed quickly.
$60,000-$100,000
Families at this level usually have health insurance but may still use crisis services during emergencies. Better 9-8-8 support adds an extra layer of help when needed.
Over $100,000
Higher-income households typically have good insurance and can afford private mental health care. They benefit least from improvements to free crisis services.
How to get involved
- 1Start with the snapshot above to know what this is in a glance.
- 2Read why it matters so you can speak to it in your own words.
- 3Weigh in using the button above.
When you call, you can say: “Hi, I saw "9-8-8 Connect Act: Improving Crisis Support Services" on Community Exchange and want to know how to take part.”
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