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H 2221

An Act relative to student mental health

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 7 co-sponsors

Requires display of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number and text option on all student IDs (K-12 and higher ed), boosting crisis help access starting July 1, 2025.

Read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 2221

Summary: H.2221 – An Act relative to student mental health

Overview

H.2221, introduced on February 27, 2025, seeks to improve student access to crisis support by requiring suicide prevention resources to be displayed on student identification cards. Specifically, it mandates that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline telephone number and text messaging capability be included on IDs issued to students in public schools (grades 6–12) and on IDs issued to students at public or private institutions of higher education. The bill is currently in the process of moving through the General Court, with a status note indicating it has been read second and ordered to a third reading.

Key Provisions

  • 988 Lifeline on K–12 student IDs

    • Applies to public schools (including charter schools) serving grades 6–12.
    • Requires new or replacement student IDs to display the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline telephone number and the text message option.

  • 988 Lifeline on higher education IDs

    • Applies to public and private institutions of higher education.
    • Requires new or replacement student IDs to display the 988 Lifeline telephone number and the text message option.

  • Transition and compliance

    • If, at the time of enactment, a public school (under section 37S of chapter 71) or higher education institution (under section 21 of chapter 73) has a supply of unissued IDs that do not meet the new requirements, those IDs may still be issued until the remaining supply is depleted.

  • Effective date

    • The requirements apply to student IDs issued on or after July 1, 2025.

Affected Entities

  • Public middle and high schools (including charter schools) serving grades 6–12.
  • Public and private institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) that issue student IDs.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Referred to the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery on February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing scheduled for June 30, 2025.
  • Subsequent committee actions occurred in September 2025, with the bill advancing through the House and undergoing readings and rules actions.

Potential Impact

  • Student well-being: Easier access to crisis support resources for students facing mental health crises, via a visible, centralized contact method on IDs.
  • Awareness: Normalizes seeking help by keeping the 988 Lifeline top-of-mind for students, families, and staff.
  • Implementation: Schools and higher education institutions will update ID production processes to include the 988 contact, with a transition period allowing remaining noncompliant IDs to be issued until depleted.

Notes

  • Source material notes that the bill is related to earlier similar proposals (HD 1909) and reflects a targeted, non-mandatory transition approach for existing ID stock.
  • The bill specifically references both telephone and text message options for 988, aligning with contemporary crisis response practices.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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