S. 2826 · In committee · Health

988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025

Sponsor: Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

What it does

• Requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to reestablish specialized crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Mandates a minimum percentage of 988 lifeline appropriated funds be reserved specifically for LGBTQ+ youth services.
• Restores access to a dedicated call-routing option (previously available by pressing 3) connecting callers under 25 to specialized support.

Official summary

988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025 This bill reestablishes specialized services for youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) and seeking help from the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This lifeline, which is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is a three-digit number that connects callers in suicidal crisis or mental health distress to a national network of crisis centers. Previously, callers under the age of 25 could call the lifeline and press 3 to access specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth, but this subnetwork closed in 2025. The bill requires SAMHSA to reestablish and maintain these specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth seeking help from the lifeline. Also, the bill requires a certain minimum percentage of the funds appropriated for implementing the lifeline to be reserved for these services to LGBTQ+ youth.

Latest action

Mar 19, 2026: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions