An Act establishing a behavioral health crisis services surcharge; establishing the behavioral health crisis services fund; and providing for an effective date.

SB 196 imposes a $0.98 monthly surcharge on all wireless phone numbers and landline telephone access lines in Alaska, collected by phone companies from customers. The funds collected are deposited into a new "behavioral health crisis services fund" managed by the Department of Health. This fund will directly support the operation and improvement of Alaska's 988 crisis hotline system, including staffing, technology, and infrastructure. The bill requires phone companies to separately bill customers for the surcharge, remit collected funds to the state within 60 days, and deduct only administrative costs (up to $150 or 1% of collected amount) before remittance.