RAYS Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7092
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:09:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act (RAYS Act) aims to increase access to mental health and suicide prevention resources for secondary school students by requiring schools to display crisis hotline information on student identification (ID) cards or through other accessible means. This legislation seeks to raise awareness and provide immediate support to students facing mental health challenges.
Key Provisions
- Required Information on ID Cards: Local educational agencies (LEAs, which are school districts or similar entities receiving federal funds) that issue ID cards to secondary school students must include contact details for:
- The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (a national hotline for suicide prevention and mental health crises).
- The Crisis Text Line (a text-based support service).
- A state or local suicide prevention hotline, if one is available.
- Alternatives for Schools Without ID Cards: LEAs that do not issue ID cards must:
- Promulgate the contact information prominently on their public website.
- Include it on computer portals and software platforms commonly used by secondary students.
- Implementation Methods: The information can be added via printing directly on cards, stickers, or other suitable approaches determined by the LEA.
- Flexibility for Alternatives: If the national services become unavailable, the Secretary of Education may designate equivalent alternatives and must notify LEAs within 60 days, providing the new contact details.
- Optional Additions: LEAs may voluntarily include extra resources, such as school counselor contacts, and extend the information to ID cards for teachers, administrators, and staff.
- Outreach Campaigns: The Secretary of Education, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other agencies, must run awareness efforts through schools, websites, social media, and other channels. These must be accessible to students and community members with physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities.
- Timeline:
- Applies to new ID cards issued for school years starting after the effective date (one year after enactment).
- Does not require changes to existing ID cards.
- Website and digital requirements begin 60 days after the effective date.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) by adding a new section (8549D) to Subpart 2 of Part F of Title VIII. Previously, ESEA focused on broader education standards, funding, and support services but did not mandate specific mental health resource disclosures on student IDs or digital platforms. This introduces a targeted requirement for suicide prevention visibility in secondary schools, without altering other ESEA provisions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: LEAs receiving federal funds will face compliance costs (e.g., printing or digital updates), though minimal. The Department of Education will handle designations of alternative services and lead outreach, potentially increasing coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services.
- On Citizens: Secondary students gain easier, immediate access to crisis support, which could reduce suicide risks and stigma around mental health. Parents and school communities benefit from heightened awareness through campaigns.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill is domestic and focused on U.S. schools.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local Educational Agencies (LEAs): Primarily responsible for implementation and compliance.
- Secondary School Students: Direct beneficiaries through accessible crisis resources.
- School Personnel (Teachers, Administrators, Counselors): May see optional inclusion on their IDs and increased awareness roles.
- Parents and Community Members: Informed via outreach efforts, with accessibility for those with disabilities.
- Federal Agencies: Department of Education (oversight and outreach) and Department of Health and Human Services (coordination).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill applies only to federally funded LEAs, avoiding overreach into private or non-funded schools. It includes flexibility (e.g., no retroactive changes) to minimize burdens, and the Secretary's designation authority ensures adaptability without needing new legislation.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it aligns with the government's role in promoting public welfare and education under the Spending Clause (by tying requirements to federal funds). It respects state and local control by allowing LEAs to choose implementation methods.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support for youth mental health (introduced by members from both parties), potentially advancing national discussions on student well-being post-pandemic. It could set a precedent for integrating public health mandates into education policy without significant controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (5 pages)