The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday recommended passage of a bill to provide civil immunity to staff of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, 211 information and referral helplines, and 911 operators when they follow applicable standards and are not grossly negligent.

Kristin Rohrs, sponsor of Senate Bill 2145, told the committee the bill was drafted to align liability protections for crisis-helpline workers with existing protections for 911 operators. "The intention was to mimic that liability protection that we have for 911 operators," Rohrs said, adding sponsors want to protect workers who follow professional standards from lawsuits when callers die by suicide despite an appropriate response.

Jennifer Illich, director of FirstLink (a blended center that answers 988, 211 and some 911 transfers), said the center employs trained, paid staff who adhere to national accreditations and best practices, and that immunity is needed to protect workers and the sustainability of services. "Providing immunity for the work performed on these helplines is critical to sustaining the confidence and resilience of the people who devote themselves in this important mission," Illich testified.

Committee members asked about staffing and volunteer roles; FirstLink staff said its 988 and 211 lines are answered by paid staff and that blended centers commonly integrate lines so callers can be transferred and staff can provide both information and crisis intervention as needed.

After testimony and discussion, a motion for a do-pass recommendation was made and the committee recorded a favorable roll call. The committee named a sponsor to carry the bill out of committee.