This bill amends existing legislation regarding the requirements for student identification cards in public schools and institutions of higher education in New Jersey. It mandates that these 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 supplementary contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, on-campus crisis centers, or other mental health support services. The changes aim to enhance the accessibility of mental health resources for students by broadening the scope of information provided on student identification cards. The bill will 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