AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE NATHAN BRUNO AND JASON FLATT ACT (Directs middle and high schools which issue student identification cards to include on those cards contact crisis telephone numbers for suicide prevention and substance use disorder prevention.)

S2348

2026 -- S 2348
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LC004732
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE NATHAN BRUNO AND JASON FLATT ACT

Introduced By:
Senators Gu, Gallo, Zurier, Urso, Murray, Paolino, Bell, DiPalma, and
Valverde

Date Introduced:
January 30, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21.7 of the General Laws entitled "The Nathan Bruno and Jason
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Flatt Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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16-21.7-5. Student identification cards.

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(a) All middle and high schools within and subject to the jurisdiction of the department of
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elementary and secondary education (“RIDE”), which issue student identification cards (“ID
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cards”), shall include on the back of each ID card the following:
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(1) The telephone number for a state or national suicide prevention hotline; and
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(2) The telephone number for a state or national substance abuse crisis center. Provided,
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this requirement may be met through one telephone number to a state or national organization
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which provides both suicide and substance abuse assistance and services, such as the 988 suicide
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and crisis lifeline.
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(b) All middle and high schools within and subject to the jurisdiction of RIDE which issue
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staff ID cards to teachers, administrators, professional staff, and custodial staff working within the
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school or school district shall also include or affix the information required under this section to
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those ID cards.
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(c) The information required under this section may be printed on the ID cards or contained
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on a sticker affixed to the ID cards.

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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE NATHAN BRUNO AND JASON FLATT ACT
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This act would direct middle and high schools which issue student identification cards to
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include on those cards contact crisis telephone numbers for suicide prevention and substance use
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disorder prevention. This information would also be required to be placed on identification cards
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issued to school and district employees working in the schools.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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