The H line (NYS HIV/STI/HCV Hotline) is a program operated by Long Island Crisis Center.
These SMS Terms & Conditions (“SMS Terms”) apply to the SMS/text messaging program operated by The H Line.
By voluntarily providing your mobile telephone number and separately and affirmatively selecting the SMS consent checkbox, you agree to receive text messages from The H Line as described below.
About The H Line
The H line is a New York State HIV/STI/HCV information and referral service funded by the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute, and operated by Long Island Crisis Center.
The H line provides information, education, referrals, risk-reduction information, and support related to:
- HIV;
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs);
- Hepatitis C;
- Sexual health;
- HIV/STI/HCV prevention;
- Testing;
- Treatment;
- Risk reduction; and
- Related health and support services.
1. Purpose of the SMS Program
The H line SMS program allows individuals who request information or assistance from The H line to receive text messages related to their request.
SMS messages may include:
- Follow-up regarding a request submitted to The H line;
- Responses to questions or requests for assistance;
- Information related to a requested referral or resource;
- Follow-up communication from an H line Navigator; and
- Other information directly related to the individual’s request for assistance.
The H line SMS program is not used to send unrelated commercial marketing or promotional messages.
2. How You Opt In to SMS Messages
Individuals opt in to The H line SMS program through the H line website.
The opt-in process works as follows:
- The individual visits the H line Navigator page at https://nyaidsline.org/navigators/.
- The individual enters their mobile telephone number in the mobile phone number field.
- The individual is shown a separate SMS consent statement.
- The individual must actively select an unchecked SMS consent checkbox to agree to receive text messages.
- The individual may submit the form without selecting the SMS consent checkbox.
The SMS consent checkbox is not selected by default.
SMS consent is separate from acceptance of the Privacy Policy and these SMS Terms & Conditions.
3. Your Consent
Consent to receive text messages is completely voluntary and is not a condition of receiving services or assistance from The H line or Long Island Crisis Center, Inc.
An individual may request information or assistance from The H line without consenting to receive SMS messages.
Leaving the SMS consent checkbox unchecked does not prevent an individual from submitting a request through the Navigator form.
4. SMS Consent Language
The SMS consent statement presented on the H line Navigator form states:
Yes, I agree to receive text messages from The H line regarding my request for information or assistance. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out and HELP for help. Consent to receive text messages is optional and is not a condition of receiving services or assistance.
By selecting the checkbox, the individual provides affirmative consent to receive SMS messages from The H line for the purpose described above.
5. Message Frequency
Message frequency may vary depending on your request and communication needs.
The number of messages an individual receives depends on their communication with The H line and whether follow-up communication is needed.
The H line does not promise a specific number of messages.
6. Message and Data Rates
Message and data rates may apply.
Your mobile carrier’s standard messaging and data rates may apply to text messages sent to or received from The H line.
The H line does not control or determine charges imposed by your mobile carrier.
7. How to Stop Text Messages
You may withdraw your consent and stop receiving SMS messages from The H line at any time.
To stop receiving messages, reply:
STOP
After you send STOP, The H line will process your request to stop SMS communications.
You may continue to contact The H line through other available communication methods after opting out of SMS.
8. Getting Help
For assistance with SMS communications, reply:
HELP
You may also contact The H line through the contact information available on our website:
Home
9. Mobile Telephone Numbers and SMS Consent Information
The H line and Long Island Crisis Center, Inc. do not sell or rent mobile telephone numbers.
The H line and Long Island Crisis Center, Inc. do not share mobile telephone numbers, mobile information, SMS opt-in information, or SMS consent information with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.
Mobile telephone numbers and SMS opt-in or consent information will not be used for unrelated marketing or promotional purposes.
SMS consent information is collected specifically for communications from The H line and is not transferred to another organization for that organization’s marketing or promotional use.
10. No Third-Party Marketing
The H line SMS program is not used for:
- Third-party marketing;
- Affiliate marketing;
- Lead generation;
- Selling or renting mobile telephone numbers; or
- Promotional messaging on behalf of another organization.
The H line SMS program is limited to communications directly related to an individual’s request for information or assistance from The H line, not for promotional purposes.
11. Privacy
Information collected through the Website and SMS program is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please review our Privacy Policy for additional information about how information may be collected, used, and shared.
Privacy Policy:
https://nyaidsline.org/privacy-policy/
12. Third-Party Service Providers
The H Line and Long Island Crisis Center, Inc. may use technology and communications service providers to operate and support the Website and SMS communications.
These providers may process information as necessary to provide services to The H Line or Long Island Crisis Center, Inc.
Mobile telephone numbers and SMS opt-in or consent information will not be provided to third-party service providers for their own marketing or promotional purposes.
13. Carrier Disclaimer
Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
The H Line is not responsible for service interruptions or delays caused by mobile carriers or other telecommunications providers.
14. Changes to the SMS Program
The H Line may modify, suspend, or discontinue the SMS program when necessary.
If the SMS program or these SMS Terms change, the current version will be posted on this page.
15. Changes to These Terms
The H line may update these SMS Terms & Conditions periodically.
The current version will be available at:
https://nyaidsline.org/sms-terms-conditions/
16. Contact Information
The H line
NYS HIV/STI/HCV Hotline
A program of Long Island Crisis Center, Inc.
English: 1-800-541-2437
Spanish: 1-800-233-7432
Website:
https://nyaidsline.org/
Program Operator:
Long Island Crisis Center
Privacy Policy
For information about how The H Line handles information collected through the Website and SMS program, please review:
https://nyaidsline.org/privacy-policy/
Navigator SMS Opt-In
SMS consent is collected through the H line Navigator form:
https://nyaidsline.org/navigators/
The H line may update these SMS Terms from time to time to reflect changes to the SMS program, Website, applicable requirements, or program practices.
When changes are made, the updated version will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.