I support AB 988 to establish the “9-8-8” emergency response system for Californians experiencing a mental health crisis. The current mental health crisis response system relies on law enforcement and puts people suffering from mental illness through an expensive and traumatizing revolving-door as they shuttle between jails, emergency rooms, and the street. In 2020, the federal government established "988" as the new three-digit number for mental health crisis hotlines. AB 988 would establish the 988 Crisis Hotline Center, using the digits “988” in compliance with existing federal law and standards governing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In addition to the 3-digit line, the bill would require the Office of Emergency Services to take specified actions to implement the hotline system, including hiring a director with specified experience and designating a 988 crisis hotline center or centers to provide crisis intervention services and crisis care coordination to individuals in need. Once implemented in California, 988 will connect callers with around-the-clock intervention, including mobile crisis support teams staffed by mental health professionals and trained peers. It’s time for California to have a better, more comprehensive crisis response system and establishing 988 is an important first step.