CA 988 mental health tech years overdue, linked to troubled Next Gen 911 upgrade

Issues with California’s Next Generation 911 upgrade are so far-reaching lawmakers say they’re significantly impacting the state’s 988 program.

Investigative Report by Candice Nguyen • Published August 6, 2026 • Updated on August 7, 2026 at 10:41 pm The 988 technology can’t move forward until the Next Gen 911 network is deployed, which could be another 4 years, according to a recent legislative outcomes review.

Cal OES declined an interview with NBC Bay Area but said in a statement, “Every Californian experiencing a mental health crisis deserves to be connected quickly to the right help… Today, every 9-8-8 center can transfer calls to another 9-8-8 center or connect callers directly with a 9-1-1 dispatch center when emergency assistance is needed.”