OKLAHOMA CITY — Freshman lawmaker Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, has filed legislation to create the 988 Trust Fund to help ensure Oklahoma’s mental health crisis hotline remains available to those in need as federal funding is set to expire later this year.

“Oklahomans need to know that when they make that call, someone will answer,” Norwood said. “With more than 30 years of experience in mental health presentations, I understand how powerful one conversation can be. It can change the direction of someone’s life for the better. This bill is about making sure help is always there when someone needs it most.”

House Bill 4092 would create the 988 Trust Fund and establish the sources of money that may be deposited into the fund, including legislative appropriations, federal funds, grants, gifts and other sources. Money in the fund could only be used for 988 Mental Health Lifeline and related behavioral health crisis services. Any actual funding levels would be decided later through the state budget process or separate legislation.

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has confirmed that a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that partially funds 988 in Oklahoma is scheduled to end Sept. 30. Norwood said the pending loss of federal support makes it critical for the state to plan ahead.

“We cannot let 988 come to an end,” Norwood said. “No one should ever make a permanent decision based on temporary problems. This bill helps make sure there is a fund in place, so someone is always there to answer the call for Oklahomans who are struggling.”

The 988 hotline replaced the Suicide Prevention Lifeline to better serve Oklahomans experiencing mental health crises. Calls or texts to 988 connect individuals with trained mental health professionals who can provide immediate support, link callers to local resources and deploy mobile crisis teams when needed.

According to recent data from Solari Crisis & Human Services, which partners with ODMHSAS to operate the 988 Mental Health Lifeline in Oklahoma, the most common reasons people contact 988 include coordination of care, self-harm or suicide concerns, anxiety and depression. While call volume spiked last fall due in part to SNAP-related stressors, 7,166 calls have been made to the hotline in the past 30 days alone.

HB4092 is eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.