REGIONAL — Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Yesenia Sanchez appeared this week to be on the verge of ousting long-time Sheriff Gregory Ahern without the need for a runoff election
California Capitol
Sacramento, CA Rather than having people call 9-1-1 during a mental health crisis, California lawmakers will debate whether to create a new 9-8-8 emergency number.
It would be staffed by counselors and mental health professionals, who would be assisted by local mobile crisis support teams.
Assembly Bill 988 is authored by Democrat Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and backed by several non-profits who focus on mental health issues.
They argue that it would be more beneficial for people to speak first with mental health experts instead of law enforcement officials. In addition, if someone calls 9-1-1 with a mental health emergency, the dispatcher would have the ability to transfer the caller to 9-8-8.