Maryland Lawmakers pass bill to permanently fund 988 hotline

WYPR

Maryland lawmakers passed a bill to permanently fund the 988 mental health hotline in the state with a fee on residents’ cell phones.

The 25-cent-a-month fee on all registered mobile phones is expected to bring in more than $25 million a year to hire staff and improve the technology at call centers.

Maryland’s 988 hotline has seen a 50% increase in calls since it opened in 2022 and a 1,000% increase in text messages.