Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1924
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-02: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-28T11:03:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 1924: Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act
Purpose
This bill aims to improve access to mental health support for college students by requiring higher education institutions to provide suicide prevention contact information. It focuses on integrating these resources into everyday student tools, like identification cards, to make help more readily available during crises.
Key Provisions
- Requirement for Institutions with ID Cards: Colleges and universities that issue student identification (ID) cards must include phone contact details for three resources on each new card produced after the law takes effect:
- The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (a national hotline for immediate crisis support).
- The Crisis Text Line (a text-based service for mental health crises).
- The institution's own campus mental health center or program.
- Alternative for Institutions Without ID Cards: Schools that do not produce or distribute ID cards must post this same contact information prominently on their official website.
- Flexibility for Changes: If the 988 Lifeline or Crisis Text Line stops operating, the U.S. Secretary of Education can select a similar replacement organization.
- Effective Date: The requirements begin one year after the bill becomes law, giving institutions time to prepare.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which currently outlines conditions for institutions to participate in federal student aid programs. It adds a new subsection (30) that introduces these mental health resource mandates as an additional eligibility requirement. Previously, the law did not specifically address including crisis contacts on student IDs or websites, focusing instead on broader institutional compliance for funding.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Education will need to monitor compliance among institutions receiving federal aid and may designate replacement crisis services if needed, potentially increasing administrative oversight.
- On Citizens: College students gain easier access to free, confidential suicide prevention support, which could reduce barriers to seeking help and potentially lower suicide rates among young adults. It does not directly affect non-students or K-12 schools.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill applies only to U.S. higher education institutions.
Main Stakeholders
- Higher Education Institutions: Colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs must update ID cards or websites, incurring minor costs for printing or digital updates.
- Students: Primary beneficiaries, especially those facing mental health challenges, as the resources promote immediate access to support.
- Mental Health Organizations: Groups like the 988 Lifeline and Crisis Text Line may see increased usage and visibility, supporting their outreach efforts.
- U.S. Department of Education: Responsible for enforcement and any substitutions for crisis services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The change ties compliance to federal funding eligibility under the Higher Education Act, creating an enforceable mandate without new penalties beyond potential loss of aid. It respects institutional autonomy by allowing schools to choose their campus mental health contact.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it aligns with the government's interest in public health and education without infringing on free speech or privacy rights, as the information is publicly available and non-intrusive.
- Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by Senators Kennedy and Booker from different parties) highlights broad consensus on youth mental health. It could set a precedent for embedding health resources in educational settings, potentially influencing future policies on student well-being amid rising concerns about campus mental health crises.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-02: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-06-02: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act — issued 2025-06-02 — PDF (2 pages)