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House committee advances resolution urging health providers to include 988 crisis line information
Summary
The House Committee on Public and Community Health advanced House Resolution 713, a nonbinding measure encouraging health-care providers to include the 988 mental health crisis number alongside 911 messaging to help direct callers in crisis to appropriate resources.
The House Committee on Public and Community Health on Thursday advanced House Resolution 713, a measure urging health‑care providers across Georgia to include the 988 mental health crisis phone number in patient communications.
Representative Will Wade introduced the resolution as an encouragement rather than a mandate, saying the goal is to help the public distinguish medical emergencies that require 911 from mental‑health crises better served by 988. "Are you in crisis? Do you need assistance? Please call 988," Wade told the committee as he described efforts already supported by the governor's office and promoted by the state's first lady.
Committee members asked whether state agencies already publicize 988 and whether the resolution would change departmental practices; Wade replied that the resolution aims to align private and public messaging across the health‑care ecosystem rather than impose a regulatory requirement. The committee moved to advance the resolution by voice vote; the chair declared "the ayes have it."
The resolution does not create new legal obligations or funding requirements; proponents said it is intended to increase public awareness and reduce inappropriate 911 usage in cases better handled by mental‑health crisis responders. The committee did not specify further implementation steps at the meeting.
The resolution now moves along the legislative process for any additional committee consideration or floor action that may follow.
