9–8–8 Community Infrastructure Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 3, 2026
Bottom line
This bill authorizes $1 billion in federal grants to build and improve infrastructure for mental health and substance use crisis response services, supporting the 9-8-8 national crisis lifeline.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a new grant program for health center capital projects. It authorizes $1 billion for grants to eligible entities, including health centers and crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, to fund the alteration, renovation, expansion, or new construction of facilities dedicated to mental health and substance use crisis response services.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill is crucial for addressing the national mental health crisis by providing much-needed capital for facilities that offer immediate, accessible care, thereby reducing reliance on emergency rooms and law enforcement for mental health emergencies. They emphasize the importance of robust community infrastructure to effectively support the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline.
Opponents contend
No direct opposition arguments are immediately apparent for this type of bill, though some might raise concerns about the overall federal spending authorized, questions about the effectiveness of capital investments versus other types of mental health funding, or potential federal overreach into state and local healthcare infrastructure planning.
The bill is very short and straightforward, allowing ample time for a thorough review and understanding of its provisions.
Section 1
Short Title: 9-8-8 Community Infrastructure Act
This section establishes the official short title of the bill as the '9-8-8 Community Infrastructure Act,' making it easier to refer to and understand its primary focus on supporting infrastructure related to the 9-8-8 national suicide and crisis lifeline.
Supporters argue
Supporters would argue that a clear and concise short title helps communicate the bill's intent and connection to the critical 9-8-8 crisis lifeline, fostering public and legislative understanding.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against short titles, as they are primarily for identification and communication.
Tradeoffs
None apparent for a short title.
Section 2, adding Section 330Q to the Public Health Service Act
Establishment of Health Center Capital Grants Program
This provision directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities for capital projects aimed at improving mental health and substance use crisis response infrastructure. This creates a new federal funding stream specifically for building, renovating, or expanding facilities that support crisis services.
Section 330Q(b)
Definition of Eligible Entities for Grants
This section specifies which organizations can apply for the capital grants. Eligible entities include existing health centers funded under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (including Tribes/Tribal organizations) and crisis receiving and stabilization facilities or crisis call centers that collaborate with local mental health and substance use organizations. This ensures funds are directed to established or well-connected service providers.
Section 330Q(c)
Permitted Uses of Grant Funds
Grant funds can be used for a wide range of capital improvement costs related to crisis response program facilities. This includes alteration, renovation, remodeling, expansion, new construction, and even the costs of amortizing principal and paying interest on loans for such purposes. This broad scope allows flexibility for grantees to address various infrastructure needs.
Section 330Q(d)
Detailed Definitions for Crisis Facilities
This section provides detailed definitions for 'crisis receiving and stabilization facility' and 'mental health and substance use urgent care facility.' These definitions outline specific operational requirements, such as 24/7 availability, no-wrong-door admission policies, sliding scale payments, and specific service capacities (e.g., 23-hour observation, 48-hour stabilization beds), ensuring that funded facilities meet a high standard for crisis care.
Section 330Q(e)
Authorization of $1 Billion in Appropriations
This section authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000,000 to carry out the grant program, with funds remaining available until expended. This provides the financial backing for the new capital grants, signaling a significant federal commitment to improving crisis response infrastructure.
Detailed operational requirements for 'crisis receiving and stabilization facilities' to be eligible for grants, including specific bed capacities (23-hour observation, 48-hour crisis stabilization), 24/7 operation, sliding scale payment, no-wrong-door admission, and an average length-of-stay of less than 150 hours.
Section 330Q(d)(1)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to ensure clarity and consistency in how terms are applied throughout the act. It's not necessarily evasive but requires careful reading to understand the full implications for facility design and operation.
Case for: Supporters would argue that these precise definitions are essential to ensure that federal funds are used to establish high-quality, evidence-based crisis care models that meet specific standards of accessibility and service delivery, thereby maximizing the program's effectiveness.
Case against: Critics might argue that such detailed requirements could be overly prescriptive, potentially limiting the ability of diverse state and local programs to qualify, or stifling innovation in crisis care models that might not fit these exact parameters.
Estimated impact: These definitions will shape the design and operational standards for potentially hundreds of crisis facilities nationwide, influencing the quality and accessibility of care for millions experiencing mental health or substance use crises.