SB 974/HB 933, passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor, establishes a State 9-8-8 fee with a structure and application nearly identical to the structure and application for the State’s 9-1-1 fee. The new law, which went into effect in October 2024, establishes a sustainable source of state funding for the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Maryland.

The 9-8-8 fee is set at $0.25 and applied on specified 9-8-8 accessible services in Maryland (including on phoneline subscribers beginning October 1, 2024, and prepaid wireless purchasers beginning July 1, 2027).

Fee revenues accrue to the 9-8-8 Trust Fund to offer 24/7 coverage by specialized counselors who can intervene and provide confidential support.

Learn more about the approved fiscal legislation here

We’ll keep you informed on related regulatory developments. Questions? Call 800.787.4848 or jnolte@ctsmd.us.