S. 4061

119 S4061 IS: Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-03-11
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 4061  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   March 11, 2026   Mr. Banks  (for himself,  Ms. Smith ,  Mrs. Capito ,  Ms. Klobuchar ,  Mr. Kaine ,  Ms. Duckworth ,  Mrs. Gillibrand ,  Mr. Booker , and  Mr. Wyden ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions    A BILL
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require local educational agencies to include mental health and suicide prevention information on student identification cards, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act   or the   RAYS Act  .
2.
Mental health and suicide prevention information on student identification cards
(a)
In general
Subpart 2 of part F of title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7901 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
8549D.
Inclusion of mental health and suicide prevention information on student identification cards
(a)
Required information
Each local educational agency that receives funds under this Act—
(1)
that issues identification cards to students in secondary schools shall ensure that such identification cards include contact information for—
(A)
the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or an alternative service designated by the Secretary under subsection (c));
(B)
the Crisis Text Line (or an alternative service designated by the Secretary under subsection (c)); and
(C)
a State or local suicide prevention hotline selected by the agency, if available; and
(2)
that does not issue identification cards to secondary school students shall—
(A)
prominently publish the contact information specified in paragraph (1) on a publicly accessible website of the agency; and
(B)
include such information on computer portals and software platforms regularly used by secondary school students.
(b)
Method of inclusion
The information required under subsection (a)(1) may be included on identification cards using any method the local educational agency determines appropriate, which may include—
(1)
printing the information directly on the cards;
(2)
affixing a sticker to the cards that contains the information; or
(3)
other such methods.
(c)
Designation of alternative services
(1)
In general
In the event a service described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1) becomes unavailable or ceases to operate effectively, the Secretary may designate an alternative service that provides equivalent or comparable mental health resources to be included on student identification cards as required under such subsection.
(2)
Notification
Not later than 60 days after designating an alternative service under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
(A)
notify local educational agencies of such designation; and
(B)
provide such agencies with the contact information for the alternative service.
(d)
Optional information
In addition to the information required under subsection (a), a local educational agency that receives funds under this Act may consider—
(1)
including information on additional mental health resources, such as contact information for school counselors or school mental health resources, on student identification cards; and
(2)
adding the information described in subsection (a)(1) to identification cards issued to teachers, administrators, and other school personnel.
(e)
Outreach
The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the heads of other appropriate agencies, shall conduct outreach and awareness campaigns to inform students, parents, school personnel, and the public about the mental health resources described in subsection (a). Such outreach efforts shall—
(1)
include the dissemination of information through school-based programs, websites, social media, and other communication channels; and
(2)
provide information in a manner that is accessible to students and community members with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities.
(f)
Applicability
(1)
Physical ID Cards
The requirements of subsection (a)(1) shall apply with respect to student identification cards issued by local educational agencies that receive funds under this Act for school years beginning after the effective date of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the modification of a student identification card issued before such effective date.
(2)
Other information
The requirements of subsection (a)(2) shall apply beginning 60 days after the effective date of this section.
 .
(b)
Effective date
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act.