HF 427 (LSB 1146YH (4) 88)

HOUSE FILE 427

BY  KRESSIG, BROWN-POWERS, MOORE, and R. SMITH

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring that secondary and postsecondary education institutions provide students with information regarding suicide prevention and student mental health services and including applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 260C.14, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  25.  Require that identification cards issued to students include on either side of the identification card the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline. The community college may also include telephone numbers for the crisis text line and a local suicide prevention hotline.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  26.  Require that the community college post the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline on the community college’s internet site.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  27.  Require that the community college provide students information at least twice per academic year on how to access available student mental health services in the college, in the community, or both, as applicable.
    Sec. 2.  Section 261.2, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  13.  Require any postsecondary institution other than a regents institution or community college whose students are eligible for or who receive financial assistance under programs administered by the commission that issues identification cards to students to include on either side of the identification card the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline. The institution may also include telephone numbers for the crisis text line and a local suicide prevention hotline.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  14.  Require any postsecondary institution other than a regents institution or community college whose students are eligible for or who receive financial assistance under programs administered by the commission to post the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline on the institution’s internet site.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  15.  Require any postsecondary institution other than a regents institution or community college whose students are eligible for or who receive financial assistance under programs administered by the commission to provide students information at least twice per academic year on how to access available student mental health services in the institution, in the community, or both, as applicable.
    Sec. 3.  Section 262.9, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  39.  Require that each institution of higher education governed by the board that issues identification cards to students to include on either side of the identification card the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline. The institution may also include telephone numbers for the crisis text line and a local suicide prevention hotline.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  40.  Require that each institution of higher education governed by the board post the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline on the institution’s internet site.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  41.  Require that each institution of higher education governed by the board provide students information at least twice per academic year on how to access available student mental health services in the institution, in the community, or both, as applicable.
    Sec. 4.  NEW SECTION.  280.31  Student identification cards —— internet site —— suicide prevention and other information.
   1.  A public or nonpublic school that issues identification cards to students in grades seven through twelve shall include on either side of the identification card the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline. The school may also include telephone numbers for the crisis text line and a local suicide prevention hotline. 
   2.  A public or nonpublic school at which students in grades seven through twelve are educated shall post the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline on the school’s internet site.
    Sec. 5.  NEW SECTION.  280.32  Information on access to student mental health services.
   A public or nonpublic school shall provide students in grades seven through twelve and parents or guardians of such students information at least twice per school year on how to access available student mental health services in the school, in the community, or both, as applicable.
    Sec. 6.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to student identification cards issued on or after the effective date of this Act. A school, institution, or community college that has a supply of unused student identification cards shall utilize that supply prior to complying with the requirements of this Act relating to student identification cards. 
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires that public and accredited nonpublic schools that educate students in grades 7 through 12, regents institutions, community colleges, and other postsecondary institutions whose students are eligible for or who receive financial assistance under programs administered by the college student aid commission to include on either side of identification cards issued to students the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline. The telephone numbers for the crisis text line and a local suicide prevention hotline may also be included.
   The bill requires such schools, institutions, and community colleges to post the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline on the schools’, institutions’, or community colleges’ internet sites.
   The bill also requires such schools, institutions, and community colleges to provide students information at least twice per school or academic year on how to access available student mental health services in the institution, in the community, or both, as applicable.
   The bill applies to student identification cards issued on or after the effective date of the bill. A school, institution, or community college that has a supply of unused student identification cards shall utilize that supply prior to complying with the requirements of the bill relating to student identification cards.