LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Assemblymember Mark González introduced AB 1540, legislation that will reestablish the 988 Press 3 LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Crisis Line, backfilling a program axed by the Trump Administration.
“We have seen decades of hard-fought rights and services rolled back under this federal administration, including access to this proven lifesaving hotline,” said Assemblymember Mark González. “We will not stand by as our youth are pushed into crisis, lost to suicide, and forgotten. With AB 1540, California affirms its commitment and ensures we will not abandon our young people.”
The Trump-Effect:
Since 2022, 988—the nation’s official hotline for suicide prevention—has contracted with non-profits to route over 1.5 million contacts to specialized LGBTQ+ care providers. By the order of our President, the Administration ended all contracts with 988 LGBTQ+ providers—taking away a proven lifesaving tool.
“The Press 3 option was a lifeline, and losing it has been devastating, said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We will never turn our backs on our LGBTQ+ young people. While we work to restore the service in LA County, I am grateful to Assemblymember González for leading this effort in Sacramento as well. Lives are on the line, and we have no time to waste.” Supervisor Hahn is leading the effort to reestablish the Press 3 option in LA County.
LGBTQ+ Youth in California make up a large chunk of 988 callers:
Before July 17th, 2025, calling “988” and pressing “3” allowed help seekers to be automatically routed to a subnetwork of LGBTQ+ providers. The 988 LGBTQ+ youth subnetwork received 73,000 calls from California from July 2024 to June 2025, representing 9% of all calls to the subnetwork.
Additionally, from May 2024 to April 2025, the LGBTQ+ youth subnetwork received 680,127 calls, representing approximately 14% of the 5,153,905 calls that 988 received during that period. LA County accounts for one-third of the state’s overall 988 call volume.
“LGBTQ+ young people are facing a mental health crisis, and the Trump administration’s attacks have only deepened the harm,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. “When the federal government walks away from its responsibility, California has an obligation to act. This legislation makes clear that our state will not abandon LGBTQ+ youth in their most vulnerable moments. By restoring the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Crisis Line, Assemblymember González is helping ensure that young people in crisis can reach real, affirming support when it matters most.”
“CA Alliance members serving youth and families in our communities are seeing the dangerous impacts of the Trump administration every day,” said Pete Weldy, CEO of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services. “LGBTQ+ youth are especially scared and vulnerable as the administration continues to attack their very existence. AB 1540 will help connect those in the LGBTQ+ community to life-saving services and let them know we see them and stand with them.”
The Statistics go further:
The Centers for Disease Control found that 20% of surveyed students who identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual reported having attempted suicide, compared to 6% of their heterosexual peers. This rate jumps to nearly 26% for transgender high school students.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), schools were the 3rd most common location for reported hate crimes against LGBTQ+ youth, with incidents more than doubling between 2018 and 2022.
Assemblymember Mark González is the Assembly Majority Whip. He serves on the Committees on Appropriations, Health, Public Safety, Rules, and Utilities & Energy. He represents the 54th District, composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.