HB489 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Mental Health; to require Alabama Dept. of Mental Health to establish a mental health crisis hotline.

Summary

HB489 would require Alabama to create and run a statewide 24/7 mental health crisis hotline with screening, risk assessment, referrals, and follow-up.

What This Bill Does

It requires the Department of Mental Health to establish a toll-free hotline that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Operators would screen callers for mental health needs, assess suicide or homicide risk and connect at-risk individuals to emergency services if needed, refer them for ongoing care, and follow up to ensure needs are met. The department would also collect and share information about local mental health programs, hospitals, levels of care, payment options, and relevant services, provide staff training, keep information up to date, and promote the hotline to the public and to organizations.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents experiencing mental health crises, who would have access to a 24/7 free crisis hotline with screening, risk assessment, and referrals.
• Mental health providers, hospitals, clinics, and public/private organizations in Alabama, which would be referenced for service information, care levels, and payment options, and whose staff would receive training.

Key Provisions

• Establish and operate a statewide toll-free Mental Health Crisis Hotline that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round.
• Hotline operators must conduct comprehensive evidence-based screenings, assess suicide/homicide risk, connect at-risk callers to emergency response, refer to ongoing care, and follow up to confirm needs are met.
• The department must collect and maintain information about local mental health programs, facilities, and hospitals (including private providers and local public entities), along with the levels of care they offer and whether they accept third-party payment (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance).
• Provide information about services such as those for pregnant women, gender-specific services, support for parents of children with mental health disorders, and grief support.
• Provide training for Hotline staff and ensure information provided to callers is up to date.
• Disseminate information about the Mental Health Crisis Hotline to the public and through public and private organizations that serve the public.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor approval (or as otherwise law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Mental Health Department