In this article the following words have the meanings indicated:

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“988 Crisis Hotline Center” or “hotline center” means a state-identified center participating in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network to respond to statewide or regional 988 calls.

“Commercial mobile radio service provider” or “CMRS provider” means cellular licensees, broadband personal communications services (PCS) licensees, and specialized mobile radio (SMR) providers, as those terms are defined by the Federal Communications Commission, which offer on a post-paid or prepaid basis or via a combination of those two methods, real-time, two-way switched voice service that is interconnected with the public switched network and includes resellers of any commercial mobile radio service.

“Crisis receiving and stabilization services” means facilities providing short-term (under 24 hours) with capacity for diagnosis, initial management, observation, crisis stabilization, and follow- up referral services to all persons in a home-like environment.

“Department” means the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

“Federal Communications Commission” or “FCC” means the federal governmental agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the Commission is the United States’ primary authority for communications law, regulation, and technological innovation.

“National Suicide Prevention Lifeline” or “NSPL” means the national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Membership as an NSPL center requires nationally recognized certification which includes evidence-based training for all staff and volunteers in the management of calls.

“Peers” means individuals employed on the basis of their personal lived experience of mental illness and/or addiction and recovery who meet the state‘s peer certification requirements where applicable.

“Secretary” means the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

“Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration” means the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.

“988 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline” means the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) or its successor maintained by the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use under section 520E-3 of the Public Health Service Act.

“Veterans Crisis Line” or “VCL” means Veterans Crisis Line maintained by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 1720F(h) of Title 38, United States Code.