2026 -- H 7026

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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: Representatives Read, Noret, Phillips, Donovan, Spears, Cotter,
Paplauskas, Boylan, McNamara, and Casimiro

     Date Introduced: January 09, 2026

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21.7 of the General Laws entitled "The Nathan Bruno and Jason

Flatt Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-21.7-5. Student identification cards.

     (a) All middle and high schools within and subject to the jurisdiction of the department of

elementary and secondary education (“RIDE”), which issue student identification cards (“ID

cards”), shall include on the back of each ID card the following:

     (1) The telephone number for a state or national suicide prevention hotline; and

     (2) The telephone number for a state or national substance abuse crisis center. Provided,

this requirement may be met through one telephone number to a state or national organization

which provides both suicide and substance abuse assistance and services, such as the 988 suicide

and crisis lifeline.

     (b) All middle and high schools within and subject to the jurisdiction of RIDE which issue

staff ID cards to teachers, administrators, professional staff, and custodial staff working within the

school or school district shall also include or affix the information required under this section to

those ID cards.

     (c) The information required under this section may be printed on the ID cards or contained

on a sticker affixed to the ID cards.

     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

include on those cards contact crisis telephone numbers for suicide prevention and substance use

disorder prevention. This information would also be required to be placed on identification cards

issued to school and district employees working in the schools.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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