Assembly committee advances bill to restore LGBTQ+ routing in 988 crisis line

Assemblymember Mark Gonzales urged the Communications and Conveyance Committee to approve AB 15 40, saying the bill would reinstate a 'press 3' routing option within the 988 suicide-crisis lifeline to connect LGBTQ+ youth with counselors trained to address their specific needs. Gonzales said the change is meant to ensure that "when someone reaches out in crisis, they can be connected" to support that understands their identity.

Bridget McCarthy, public-policy chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast chapter, testified in support and described the bill's urgency in personal terms. "My son sent an unanswered text in the middle of his crisis," McCarthy said, arguing that specialized routing can save lives by providing callers with someone who "sees them for exactly who they are."

Several advocacy, health and local-government groups registered support on the record, including Equality California, PFLAG chapters, the California State Association of Psychiatrists and county behavioral-health directors, citing higher suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth and the prior existence of a successful press-3 routing.

Opponents included Greg Birch of the California Family Council, who argued AB 15 40 would "fracture" the clinically neutral purpose of 988 by creating what he called an "identity-segregated subnetwork" and warned of turning a crisis service into an advocacy pipeline. A private parent, Gideon Cotting, also testified in opposition, citing personal concerns about oversight of organizations proposed to be routed into the crisis system.

During member discussion, Assemblymember Rubio clarified that the bill directs the state to request federal approval from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and that implementation would be contingent on federal sign-off. A committee technical witness confirmed that contingency.

Committee member Chris Rogers moved the measure and Assemblymember Maggie Krell seconded. After debate, the committee gave AB 15 40 a "do pass" recommendation and referred it to the Committee on Appropriations. The chair noted the bill does not expand authorized 988 fund expenditures and that full implementation would require federal cooperation. The committee left the roll open to allow additional members to add votes.