South Carolina S 31: Student ID- Suicide Hotline

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 31 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 11, 2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 31

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING 
SECTION 59-1-375, RELATING TO STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND CONTACT 
INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR 
THE INCLUSION OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS SERVING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE, 
AND TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF DELIVERY OF INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS THAT 
DO NOT ISSUE IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 59-1-375 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 Section 
59-1-375. (A) A 
 Any private or public school, including a 
charter school, that serves any students in kindergarten the seventh through twelfth grades that issues student 
identification cards must print on either side of the cards the telephone 
number for the National Suicide Prevention 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The school must may also print on either 
side of the cards the social media platform, telephone number, or text number 
for at least one additional crisis resource resources selected 
by the school district or charter school sponsor. pursuant to the available data regarding local school or 
community needs, including, but not limited to:

 (1) the Crisis Text 
Line;

 (2) a local suicide 
prevention hotline, if available; or

 (3) the National Teen 
Dating Abuse Helpline.

 (B) 
Public and private institutions of higher learning that issue student 
identification cards must print on either side of the cards the telephone 
number for the National Suicide Prevention 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The public or private 
institution of higher learning must also print on either side of the cards the 
social media platform, telephone number, or text number for at least one additional crisis resource 
resources selected by the public or private 
institution of higher learning. pursuant to the available data regarding local school or 
community needs including, but not limited to:

 (1) the Crisis Text 
Line;

 (2) campus police or 
security or, if the campus does not have a campus police or security telephone 
number, the local law enforcement authority;

 (3) a local suicide 
prevention hotline; or

 (4) the National Teen 
Dating Abuse Helpline.

 (C) 
This section applies to any student identification card issued for the first 
time or for replacements to a damaged or lost student identification card.

 (D) 
Public schools, charter schools, and institutions of higher learning issuing 
student identification cards pursuant to this section shall annually and prior 
to the start of each school year certify to their respective governing bodies 
that the contact information being printed on student identification cards is 
up to date and reflects the current contact information for crisis resources 
posted on the South Carolina Department of Mental Health's website.

 (E) Private schools, public schools, 
charter schools, and institutions of higher learning that do not issue student 
identification cards shall annually provide the same information required by 
this section in an alternative, written format. The information shall be made 
available to students at the time of registration, and included:

 (1) on the school website;

 (2) on the home screen of any school 
computer used by students;

 (3) on the school agenda or calendar; 
or

 (4) at a suicide prevention awareness 
activity.

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on December 11, 2024 at 04:26 PM