The Oregon Senate narrowly approved a 40-cent monthly fee on phones to expand the 988 suicide prevention hotline to operate all days and times statewide, sending the tax to the governor for her signature.
The monthly fee, which will start in January, applies to cell phones, landlines and phones operating over the internet. People in crisis can call or text 988 to get help from a trained mental health worker or volunteer.
Because the measure raises revenues, it required approval from three-fifths of both House and Senate members.
In the Senate, that required 18 yes votes. It got 19 in Sunday’s vote, including from Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp of Bend.
He acknowledged the monthly fee might be too high or the collection method imperfect. But Knopp said he had not talked to any person who said they were unwilling to pay $5 a year to fund a service that can save lives.
In addition to funding the crisis hotline, the trust fund the phone fees will go to can be used in some cases to help fund mobile mental health crisis units like Portland Street Response and Lane County’s Cahoots program.
— Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @OrPolEds