9–8–8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act
9–8–8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act
Plain Language Summary
# 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill would establish cybersecurity requirements and oversight for the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the federally-supported phone service that connects people experiencing mental health crises to trained counselors. The legislation would require the lifeline to implement security measures to protect sensitive caller information and would mandate studies and reports to Congress on the system's data protection practices. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects the 9-8-8 Lifeline program itself and the organizations that operate it, as well as anyone who calls the service.
It also places reporting requirements on federal agencies that oversee the lifeline. **Key Provisions:** While specific details aren't fully outlined in available summaries, the bill focuses on cybersecurity standards, data privacy safeguards for call records and personal information shared during crisis calls, and congressional oversight through required reports and investigations into the lifeline's security practices. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.