This bill enacts the "Save Tennessee Students Act," which provides that if a public institution of higher education issues new student identification cards to students enrolled in the institution, then the institution is required to include on the cards:
(1) The telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; and
(2) The social media handle, telephone number, or text number for at least one additional crisis resource selected by the institution, which may include the crisis text line or, if available, a local suicide prevention hotline.
This bill requires each public institution of higher education to post the telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the social media handle, telephone number, or text number for at least one additional crisis resource selected by the institution, which may include the crisis text line or, if available, a local suicide prevention hotline, in a conspicuous place on each campus operated by the institution.
This bill does not modify the existing "Save Tennessee Students Act," but rather provides that the provisions of this bill will also be known as the "Save Tennessee Students Act."
ON FEBRUARY 27, 2023, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 350, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 rewrites this bill completely to, instead, require, if a public institution of higher education issues new student identification cards, that the cards include the telephone number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline instead of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This provision applies to student identification cards purchased by a public institution of higher education on or after July 1, 2023; and does not apply to:
(1) Student identification cards purchased by a public institution of higher education before July 1, 2023; or
(2) Digital student identification cards.
This amendment further adds the requirement that each public institution of higher education must create and feature a webpage on the institution's website or mobile app that contains information dedicated solely to the mental health resources available to the institution's students.
This amendment requires, if an LEA issues new student identification cards for students in grades 6-12, that the cards include the telephone number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, instead of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This amendment further requires an LEA to publish the telephone number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, instead of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, in a conspicuous place in each school of the LEA that serves students in grades 6-12 or any combination thereof.
Under present law, each state institution of higher education must develop and implement a suicide prevention plan for students, faculty, and staff. The plan must be developed in consultation with campus mental health professionals and suicide prevention experts. The plan must also identify procedures related to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
This amendment further requires state institutions of higher education to include a strategy to raise awareness of the mental health and crisis support services and resources, such as the contract information for suicide prevention and crisis lifelines, that are available to students, faculty, and staff.
ON MARCH 23, 2023, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 350 FOR HOUSE BILL 294, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 350, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 incorporates the changes made by Senate Amendment #2 and makes a grammatical clarification.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-1904
Amended with SA0057 -- 02/27/2023: 49-6-1904, 49-7-172
Amended with SA0057, HA0172 -- 03/23/2023: 49-6-1904, 49-7-172
Amended with SA0057, HA0172 -- 04/03/2023: 49-6-1904, 49-7-172