The people of California do enact as follows:

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to implement the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, in compliance with the Federal Communication Commission’s rules designating “988” as a three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline to assure all persons residing in and visiting the State of California have access to the “988” suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline and care 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the 988 system in California operate as an emergency suicidal, mental health, and substance use disorder crisis system that provides compassionate, appropriate, and easily accessible care to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests.

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that:

(1) By July 16, 2022, the congressionally established go-live date for the 988 number nationwide, 988 centers will be designated by the California Health and Human Services Agency and prepared to receive and respond to the anticipated 125-percent rise in call volume in the first year of operation of 988. To ensure the success of this transition, the Office of Emergency Services and the California Health and Human Services Agency will provide call centers with necessary technology, financing, and guidelines by July 16, 2022.

(2) By December 31, 2023, the California Health and Human Services Agency and the Office of Emergency Services will develop a plan for the statewide coordination of 988, 911, and county behavioral health crisis services, including mobile crisis teams. The plan will be based on a five-year implementation plan that includes a landscape analysis of existing services and describes how to expand, improve, and link services to fully implement this act by January 1, 2029.