On Jan 5., California Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez introduced Assembly Bill 1540 in an attempt to re-establish the “press 3” option on the 988 hotline — the national suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline number created in 2020 to serve those under 25.
The “press 3” option was established in 2022 and was a standardized shortcut allowing callers to press 3 following the 988 dial and immediately access an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention specialist. In July 2025, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the government body sponsoring the hotline, officially defunded the press 3 option and instead recentered its model to serve “all help seekers” through its non-specialized services.
Calling the “press 3” option a “proven lifesaving hotline,” Gonzalez authored the bill so that it would require all California 988 centers’ technology to incorporate transfers to specialized LGBTQ+ care providers via the “press 3” option by no later than July 1. Prior to the revisions of the bill on Feb. 17, the bill was set to allocate $5 million to fund the cause; this has since been scratched for any amount to be readily requestable for greater flexibility.
Steven Adelsheim, a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University and founder of mental health service center allcove, said such specialized services are a necessity.
“It’s important to set aside specific care because LGBTQ+ young people in particular have a set of needs for support within the context of their own culture and community,” Adelsheim said. “That support becomes critical because it’s a community that often faces additional issues of bullying and discrimination.”
The “press 3” option was initially created to provide more community-focused care. This is because LGBTQ+ individuals are disproportionately more vulnerable to severe mental health issues: According to The Trevor Project, 39% of all young LGBTQ+ individuals — and 46% of transgender and non-binary individuals — were cited to have seriously considered suicide in 2024 compared to 20% of high school students that year.
AB 1540 is a one of many pieces of the California legislature attempting to protect LGBTQ+ individuals; among this set are AB 727, which requires that the back of student school ID cards have The Trevor Project’s hotline, and Senate Bill 760, which requires schools to have at least one gender-neutral bathroom. Both AB 727 and SB 760 necessitate that they be enforced by no later than July 1.
While AB 1540 has only recently been introduced and has yet to be reviewed by both legislative chambers under the state, the passing of this bill could serve to double down on California’s efforts to protect access to LGBTQ+ care.
“There aren’t that many therapists or other folks providing support that understand the particular issues that the LGBTQ+ community faces,” Adelsheim said. “There’s a need [to], but also an increased difficulty in, accessing appropriate support for these young people.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, visit the 988 Lifeline, The Trevor Project Hotline, Trans Lifeline, San Mateo County resources or Santa Clara County resources.
