AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE NATHAN BRUNO AND JASON FLATT ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Bell and 8 co-sponsors

Requires Rhode Island middle and high schools to display suicide prevention and substance abuse crisis contact numbers on all student and staff ID cards.

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor

Summary of SB 2348 (2026) – The Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act

Purpose and intent

SB 2348 would require all middle and high schools governed by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) to prominently display certain crisis resources on student and staff identification cards. The act is named in honor of Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt, reflecting its focus on suicide prevention and substance abuse crisis resources.

Key provisions

Student ID cards (back of cards): All middle and high schools must include on the back:

(1) The telephone number for a state or national suicide prevention hotline.
(2) The telephone number for a state or national substance abuse crisis center.
The two numbers may be consolidated into a single contact (for example, via the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline) if that single contact provides access to both services.

Staff ID cards: Middle and high schools must also include or affix the required crisis-contact information to ID cards issued to teachers, administrators, professional staff, and custodial staff working within the school or district.

Format flexibility: The required information may be printed directly on ID cards or placed on a sticker affixed to the cards.

Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage (i.e., immediately once enacted into law).

Who would be affected

Students: All students attending middle and high schools under Rhode Island’s public education system overseen by RIDE.

School personnel: Teachers, administrators, and other professional and custodial staff whose IDs would carry the crisis resource information.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative path: Introduced January 30, 2026; referred to Senate Education; further actions include committee consideration and potential floor votes.

Current status (per action history): As of June 2, 2026, scheduled for consideration; previously recommended to be held for further study in March 2026.

Effective date: Immediate upon passage, with no phased rollout indicated in the text.

Potential impact

Awareness and accessibility: By placing suicide prevention and substance abuse crisis resources on ID cards, the bill aims to provide quick access to help for students, staff, and the school community.

Stigma reduction and rapid response: Having readily available crisis contact information could facilitate timely outreach during emergencies or moments of distress.

Operational considerations: Districts can choose to print the information directly or use a sticker, allowing flexibility in implementation and cost management.

Overall, SB 2348 codifies a straightforward, low-cost intervention to improve access to critical crisis resources for Rhode Island’s middle and high school communities.