Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3624
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T08:07:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act aims to enhance students' access to suicide prevention and mental health resources by requiring higher education institutions to include specific contact information on student identification (ID) cards or their websites. This legislation seeks to promote mental health support and crisis intervention for college and university students.
Key Provisions
- Inclusion on ID Cards: Institutions that issue student ID cards after the law's enactment must print phone contact information for three resources on each card:
- The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (a national hotline for suicide prevention and emotional distress).
- The Crisis Text Line (a text-based support service for crises).
- The institution's own campus mental health center or program.
- Alternative for Non-ID Institutions: If an institution does not issue ID cards, it must publish the same contact information prominently on its official website.
- Flexibility for Changes: If the 988 Lifeline or Crisis Text Line ceases operations, the U.S. Secretary of Education may designate a similar replacement organization.
- Timeline: The requirements take effect one year after the bill becomes law, giving institutions time to implement changes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (a federal law governing higher education programs, including student aid and institutional requirements). It adds a new subsection (30) that introduces these mandatory mental health resource disclosures as a condition for institutions participating in federal student aid programs. Previously, there was no federal requirement for such information on ID cards or websites, though some institutions may have included it voluntarily.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Education (via the Secretary) gains a minor administrative role in designating alternative crisis resources if needed, but no significant new funding or oversight burdens are imposed.
- On Citizens: College and university students benefit from immediate, visible access to free crisis support, potentially reducing suicide risks and improving mental health outcomes. It may encourage more students to seek help during emergencies.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses solely on U.S. higher education institutions.
- Broader Effects: Institutions may face minor costs for updating ID card designs or websites, but the change could foster a culture of mental health awareness on campuses without disrupting operations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Higher Education Institutions: Public and private colleges/universities participating in federal aid programs must comply, affecting administrative and printing processes.
- Students: Primary beneficiaries, gaining easier access to confidential crisis support.
- Mental Health Organizations: The 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, and campus programs see potential increases in usage and visibility.
- Federal Government: The Department of Education oversees enforcement as part of existing institutional eligibility reviews.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The amendment ties compliance to federal student aid eligibility, creating an enforceable requirement without new penalties—non-compliance could risk loss of aid funding. It respects institutional autonomy by allowing flexibility in campus resource selection.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the bill promotes public health under Congress's spending power (conditioning federal funds on requirements), similar to other education mandates, and does not infringe on free speech or privacy rights.
- Political: Signals bipartisan support for student mental health (introduced by a diverse group of representatives), potentially influencing future policies on campus wellness amid rising youth mental health concerns. It avoids controversy by focusing on non-intrusive, resource-oriented measures rather than treatment mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
Cosponsors (40)
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-05-29: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act — issued 2025-05-29 — PDF (3 pages)