The RAYS Act (Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act) requires public schools that receive federal funding to include mental health crisis resources on student identification cards. Schools that issue ID cards must include contact information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and any available state or local suicide prevention hotlines; schools without ID card programs must post this information prominently on their websites and student computer platforms instead. The bill allows schools flexibility in how they display the information—printing it directly on cards, using stickers, or other methods—and permits schools to add optional resources like school counselor contact information. Schools have one year from the bill's enactment to implement these requirements for new ID cards, while schools that don't issue cards must comply within 60 days by posting information online. The bill also directs the federal Education Secretary to conduct outreach campaigns to raise awareness about these mental health resources and ensure the information is accessible to students with disabilities.
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