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.

Plain-English Summary

This bill, known as the Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act, would require middle schools and high schools in Rhode Island that issue student ID cards to print crisis helpline phone numbers directly on those cards. Specifically, the numbers would connect students to resources for suicide prevention and substance use disorder (drug and alcohol) help. The idea is that students would always have these important contacts readily available since many carry their school ID with them throughout the day.

The bill would primarily affect middle and high school students across Rhode Island, as well as the schools themselves, which would need to update the design of their student ID cards to include this information. There would likely be some small administrative cost to schools to make this change, though the practical adjustment would be relatively minor. Students dealing with mental health crises or substance use issues — or those who know a peer in that situation — would have immediate access to help without needing to search for the numbers.

Currently, this bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island Senate and referred to the Senate Education Committee, which has recommended it be held for further study, meaning it has not yet advanced through the legislative process. Similar laws have been passed in a number of other states, often named in memory of young people lost to suicide. No final vote has been taken on this bill at this time.