1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Local 9–8–8 Response Act of 2023 . 2. 9–8–8 Improvement (a) Definitions In this section: (1) 9–8–8 The term 9–8–8 means 9–8–8, as designated as the universal telephone number within the United States for the purpose of the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system under section 251(e)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 251(e)(4) ). (2) Commercial mobile service The term commercial mobile service has the meaning given the term in section 332(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 332(d) ). (3) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission. (4) Non-service-initialized handset The term non-service-initialized handset has the meaning given that term in section 9.10(o)(3)(i) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (b) Proximity-Based routing (1) In general The Commission shall— (A) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, initiate the rulemaking process for regulations to ensure that each phone call and text message made or sent to 9–8–8 is routed to a participating crisis center that is near the geographic area from which the phone call or text message originated; and (B) not later than 180 days after initiating the rulemaking process under subparagraph (A), issue final regulations. (2) Privacy protections In promulgating regulations under paragraph (1), the Commission shall— (A) protect the privacy of individuals who contact 9–8–8 by ensuring that a phone call or text message made or sent to 9–8–8 does not reveal the precise location of the individual who made or sent the phone call, text message, or chat