Sen. Markwayne Mullin introduces bill to strengthen cybersecurity of 988 Suicide Lifeline

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, following recent cyberattacks that temporarily disrupted the service.

The bill, known as the 988 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act, is co-sponsored by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and outlines steps to reduce or eliminate system vulnerabilities that could leave the lifeline inoperable.

“This is like calling home and the phone’s dead,” Mullin said. “What does that do to you mentally? What does that do to you physically? Are you still going to continue to be able to fight the fight by yourself? We can never afford to let 988 go down.”

The bill would require federal agencies to assess risks, develop mitigation strategies, and establish stronger cybersecurity protocols to protect the lifeline from future disruptions.