§ 53123.2

(a) No later than July 16, 2022, the Office of Emergency Services shall verify that technology that allows for transfers between 988 centers, as well as between 988 centers and 911 public safety answering points, is available to 988 centers and 911 public safety answering points throughout California.

(b) (1) No later than 90 days after the passage of this act, the office shall establish and convene the State 988 Technical Advisory Board for purposes of advising the office on both of the following:

(A) Recommendations on the feasibility and plan for sustainable interoperability between 988, 911, and behavioral health crisis services, including the identification of any legal or regulatory barriers to the transfer of 911 calls.

(B) The development of technical and operational standards for the 988 system that allow for coordination with California’s 911 system.

(2) The board shall meet no less than quarterly until December 31, 2029. Following that date, the board may be disbanded or reconvened at the discretion of the office.

(3) The board shall consist of a representative from the California Health and Human Services Agency and expert representatives, including, but not limited to, those from 988 centers, designated 988 centers, 911, county behavioral health agencies, and behavioral health crisis service providers.

(c) On or before December 31, 2029, the office, in consultation with the State Department of Health Care Services, shall procure and implement an interoperable solution, as defined in Section 53123.1.5.

(d) The office shall consult with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on any technology requirements for 988 centers and designated 988 centers.

(e) The office shall retain responsibility for an interoperable solution, including telecommunications coordination and related technology functions.

(f) (1) No later than January 1, 2028, the Emergency Medical Services Authority, in consultation with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, the California Health and Human Services Agency, the State Department of Health Care Services, and the office, shall develop and adopt voluntary statewide protocols governing the transfer of calls and communications between 911 public safety answering points and 988 centers or designated 988 centers and mobile crisis team dispatch points, including county behavioral health mobile crisis dispatch points. The voluntary protocols shall include all of the following:

(A) Criteria for transfers between 911, mobile crisis team dispatch, including county behavioral health mobile crisis dispatch, and 988.

(B) Procedures, protocols, and policies for warm handoffs.

(C) Standards to support the least restrictive and clinically appropriate responses to behavioral health crises.

(D) Coordination standards between 988 centers, designated 988 centers, emergency medical services providers, mobile crisis teams, including county behavioral health mobile crisis teams, public safety agencies, and other first responders.

(2) The Emergency Medical Services Authority shall confer with county behavioral health agencies, 988 centers until December 31, 2029, designated 988 centers, 911 public safety answering points, public safety agencies, and other first responders on the development of these protocols.

(Amended by Stats. 2026, Ch. 252, Sec. 2. (AB 173) Effective September 18, 2026.)