Directs middle and high schools which issue student identification cards to include on those cards contact crisis telephone numbers for suicide prevention and substance use disorder prevention.

## Summary of the Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act

This bill would require Rhode Island middle schools and high schools that issue student identification cards to print crisis hotline phone numbers directly on those cards. Specifically, the cards would need to include contact numbers for suicide prevention and substance use disorder (drug and alcohol addiction) prevention services. The idea is to make sure students always have easy, immediate access to help during a crisis, since many students carry their ID cards with them regularly.

The bill is named after Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt, individuals whose stories are connected to youth mental health and suicide prevention awareness. It affects all public middle and high schools in Rhode Island that already provide student ID cards — it does not require schools to start issuing ID cards if they don't already do so, but if they do issue them, the crisis numbers must be included.

This legislation would primarily impact students in grades roughly 6 through 12 across the state. By placing these phone numbers on something students carry daily, the bill aims to ensure that young people who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts or substance abuse — or who know a peer in crisis — can quickly find a number to call for help without having to search for one. Schools and school districts would need to update their ID card designs to comply with the new requirement.