hcr28 intr

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 28
(By Delegates Varner, Kominar,

Cann, Douglas and Williams)

Requesting the Public Service Commission to designate "211" as the three-digit access number for nonemergency community service referrals throughout West Virginia.

Whereas, Many cities host numerous social service organizations and often these services are not listed in the phone book by service; and

Whereas, Many people in crisis, such as alcoholics and drug addicts seeking rehabilitation, or runaway teenagers seeking youth counselors, may not call "911" and "311" numbers because they prefer not to talk with law-enforcement officers; and

Whereas, Some people in crisis are not able to search for phone numbers at all because they may be illiterate, non-English speaking, elderly, or incapacitated by natural disaster or other crisis; and

Whereas, Setting aside a "211" number would give people one number to call rather than having to call numerous agencies searching for appropriate help, and would help provide services more efficiently by using centralized community planning; and

Whereas, A "211" number would build on existing infrastructure by allowing social service organizations joining the coalition to utilize the joint experience of almost 1000 AIRS members and 1400 United Ways across the country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Public Service Commission designate "211" as the three-digit access number for nonemergency community service referrals throughout West Virginia ; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Public Service Commission, and to Bell Atlantic and other phone service providers in the State.