Bill Overview
Title: CALL Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes a new criminal offense for intentionally impeding the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (including the Veterans Crisis Line). Specifically, the bill prohibits an individual from making a wire communication or an electronic communication to the lifeline with the intent to impede the provision of services through or the operation of the lifeline. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to six months, or both.
Sponsors: Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Target Audience
Population: People in crisis who may use the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline globally.
Estimated Size: 15000000
- The CALL Act of 2022 establishes penalties for individuals who intentionally impede the operation of the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- This lifeline, which includes the Veterans Crisis Line, has a critical role in preventing suicide and providing crisis intervention.
- The target population for this bill are individuals who rely on these services during crises, including those contemplating suicide or experiencing severe mental health issues.
Reasoning
- The CALL Act primarily affects individuals who rely on the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- The budget limitations of $2,500,000 USD in year 1 and $25,000,000 USD over 10 years need to cover enforcement costs which might limit the impact or reach of the policy.
- The population target is primarily those in crisis or with mental health issues, potentially affecting the self-reported wellbeing of individuals if the lifeline's efficiency improves due to reduced intentional disruptions.
- Most individuals will not be directly impacted unless they are directly affected by disruptions to the lifeline service.
Simulated Interviews
Freelance Graphic Designer (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have had calls sometimes not go through and it was frustrating.
- If this can reduce prank calls or intentional disruptions, that would be amazing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Kansas)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’ve had to wait sometimes, and fewer disruptions would mean faster help.
- Important for those dark times when you really need someone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tech Support Specialist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I haven’t called yet but I know it's there if I need it.
- Knowing it's more protected might make me more likely to use it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad the government takes steps to protect these resources.
- Prevent disruptions so that our students can rely on them safely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Police Officer (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring these lines are not misused is crucial.
- This should deter people from trying to undermine them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
College Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The idea that these lines can be disrupted often made me more anxious.
- If protected, this will definitely keep me using them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Writer (Charleston, SC)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I would appreciate knowing that any calls I make will be prioritized and secure.
- Less misuse means more of us can trust the system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Part-time Retail Worker (Boston, MA)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Someone told me there can be fake calls.
- Glad something’s being done about it. It gives me peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Entrepreneur (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Securing the 9-8-8 line is crucial, anything that destabilizes it weakens trust.
- Hoping other resources are also safeguarded.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software Engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Effective lifeline services are part of my backup when things get bad.
- Appreciate initiatives to prevent misuse and ensure legitimate calls are prioritized.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Year 2: $2500000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Year 3: $2500000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Year 5: $2500000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Year 10: $2500000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Year 100: $2500000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Key Considerations
- The role of the 9-8-8 Lifeline as a critical resource for individuals in crisis, making the prevention of service disruption paramount.
- Ensuring effective enforcement of the new law might require additional training and resources for law enforcement officials.
- Balancing the costs of prosecution and incarceration against the benefits of unhindered crisis service operations.
- The impact of successful intervention in mental health crises on reducing long-term healthcare and societal costs.