Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2005

The Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2005 (H.R. 896) was designed to establish a nationwide 2-1-1 telephone system to provide citizens with easy access to information regarding health and human services. The bill would have provided federal grants to states to help them create and maintain these 2-1-1 centers, which act as a central hub for connecting individuals and families with local service providers and volunteer opportunities.

For everyday citizens, this legislation aimed to simplify the process of finding help for needs such as childcare, elder care, food assistance, and disaster relief by using a single, easy-to-remember three-digit number. To receive funding, states would have been required to collaborate with local organizations to ensure their databases were exhaustive and met specific quality standards for information and referral services. While the bill was introduced and referred to a subcommittee, it did not advance further to become law.