RAYS Act

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:

Each local educational agency that issues identification cards to students in secondary schools shall ensure that such identification cards include contact information for—

(A) the 988 Suicide and 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.

Each local educational agency 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.

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.

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.

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.

In addition to the information required under subsection (a), a local educational agency 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.

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.

The requirements of subsection (a)(1) shall apply with respect to student identification cards issued by local educational agencies 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.

The requirements of subsection (a)(2) shall apply beginning 60 days after the effective date of this section.

In this section, the term local educational agency means a local educational agency that receives Federal funds.

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act.