This bill amends existing legislation regarding the requirements for student identification cards in public schools and institutions of higher education in New Jersey. The revised law mandates that these identification cards must display the telephone number for mental health and suicide crisis resources, which will be determined by the Commissioner of Education or the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services. This replaces the previous requirement to include the New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline (NJ Hopeline) and contact information for a crisis text line.

Additionally, the bill allows schools and institutions to provide contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, on-campus crisis centers, or other mental health support services alongside the required mental health resources. The changes aim to enhance the support available to students by broadening the scope of mental health resources listed on student identification cards. The act is set to take effect immediately and will apply to the first full school year or academic year following its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:6-113.1, 18A:3B-73.1, 18A:3B-73.2