RAYS Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4061
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-30T15:30:20Z
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 key contact information on student identification (ID) cards or through other accessible means. This helps students in crisis quickly reach support services.
Key Provisions
- Required Contact Information on Student IDs:
- Local educational agencies (LEAs, meaning school districts or similar bodies that receive federal education funds) must include on secondary school student ID cards the phone numbers or access details for:
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (a national hotline for mental health emergencies).
- The Crisis Text Line (a text-based support service).
- A state or local suicide prevention hotline, if one is available.
- If an LEA does not issue physical ID cards, it must post this information prominently on its public website and on computer portals or software commonly used by secondary students.
- Methods of Inclusion:
- Information can be added by printing it directly on the ID, using stickers, or other suitable methods chosen by the LEA.
- Alternative Services:
- If the main national services become unavailable, the Secretary of Education can designate replacements and must notify LEAs within 60 days, providing the new contact details.
- Optional Additions:
- LEAs may add extra resources, such as school counselor contacts, and extend the information to ID cards for teachers, administrators, or other staff.
- Outreach Efforts:
- The Secretary of Education, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other agencies, must run awareness campaigns about these resources. Campaigns will use schools, websites, social media, and other channels, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities.
- Implementation Timeline:
- Applies to new ID cards issued for school years starting one year after the law's enactment; existing cards do not need changes.
- Website and digital requirements begin 60 days after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill adds a new section (8549D) to Subpart 2 of Part F of Title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), which governs federal funding for K-12 education. Previously, ESEA focused on academic standards, funding, and equity but did not mandate specific mental health resource displays on student IDs or digital platforms. This introduces a targeted requirement for suicide prevention awareness tied to federal funding eligibility.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Education will oversee compliance, designate alternatives, and lead outreach, potentially increasing administrative workload but at low cost (e.g., notifications and campaigns). Collaboration with Health and Human Services may enhance inter-agency mental health initiatives.
- On Citizens: Secondary students gain easier access to crisis support, which could reduce suicide risks and stigma around mental health. Parents and school staff benefit from broader awareness. No direct financial burden on individuals, as costs fall on funded schools.
- On International Relations: None; this is a domestic education and health policy with no foreign components.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local Educational Agencies (LEAs): Primary implementers, responsible for updating IDs, websites, and portals; must comply to retain federal ESEA funds.
- Secondary School Students: Direct beneficiaries, especially those facing mental health challenges, with quicker access to help.
- School Personnel (Teachers, Counselors, Administrators): Involved in rollout and may optionally receive resource info on their IDs.
- Parents and Community Members: Informed through outreach, improving family support for student well-being.
- Federal Agencies: Department of Education (enforcement and alternatives) and Health and Human Services (outreach coordination).
- Mental Health Organizations: Providers like the 988 Lifeline and Crisis Text Line see potential increased usage.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ties compliance to ESEA funding, creating an incentive without penalties for non-funded schools; flexible methods (e.g., stickers) minimize burdens. The law respects state/local choices for hotlines, avoiding federal overreach.
- Constitutional: No major issues; aligns with Congress's spending power under the Constitution to condition federal education funds on health-promoting measures. Protects free speech by focusing on informational mandates, not restricting expression.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from senators across parties) signals broad support for youth mental health post-pandemic. Could set precedent for integrating wellness into education policy, potentially influencing future bills on school safety or equity.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-03-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act — issued 2026-03-11 — PDF (5 pages)