9–8–8 Improvement

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) 9–8–8 The term 9–8–8 means 9–8–8, as designated as the universal telephone number within the United States for the purpose of the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system under section 251(e)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 251(e)(4)). (2) Commercial mobile service The term commercial mobile service has the meaning given the term in section 332(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(d)). (3) Non-service-initialized handset The term non-service-initialized handset has the meaning given the term in section 9.10(o)(3)(i) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (b) Transmission of all calls and texts (1) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall promulgate regulations to ensure that each provider of commercial mobile service transmits all calls and text messages made or sent to 9–8–8, including a call or text message that originates from a non-service-initialized handset (if the call or text message originates on a phone using a compliant radio frequency protocol of the provider). (2) Implementation A provider of commercial mobile service shall comply with the regulations promulgated under paragraph (1) not later than 1 year after the date on which the regulations are promulgated. (c) Configuration of multi-Line telephone systems for direct dialing (1) In general Section 721 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 623) is amended— (A) in the section heading, by inserting and 9–8–8 after 9–1–1; (B) in subsection (a), by inserting or 9–8–8 after 9–1–1; and (C) in subsection (b), by inserting or 9–8–8 after 9–1–1. (2) Applicability (A) In general The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply to actions occurring on and after the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (B) Exception The amendment made by paragraph (1)(C) shall not apply to the management or operation of a multi-line telephone system installed before the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, if the system is not able to be configured to satisfy the requirements of the amendment, without an improvement to the hardware or software of the system.