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Bill

HB 678

Relating to the inclusion of the National Sexual Assault Hotline on certain student identification cards issued by a public institution of higher education.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Linda Garcia and 5 co-sponsors

Texas law now requires public colleges to print the National Sexual Assault Hotline number on all student ID cards for easier access to support resources.

Received from the House
#crimes--againstpersons--sexual(i0171) #education--higher--general(i0231) #identificationcards(s0074) #sexualassault(s4375)
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Bill Summary · HB 678

Legislative bill overview

HB 678 requires Texas public universities and colleges to print the National Sexual Assault Hotline phone number on student identification cards. The bill mandates this as a standard feature across all public higher education institutions in the state.

Why is this important

Sexual assault is a significant problem on college campuses, and many victims are unaware of available support resources. Placing the hotline number on student IDs—items students carry daily—increases visibility of help resources at a critical moment when students may need them. This low-cost intervention aims to reduce barriers to accessing support services.

Potential points of contention

  • ID card redesign costs: Public institutions may face expenses redesigning and reprinting student ID cards, though the fiscal impact is likely minimal
  • Effectiveness questions: Critics may argue that printing a hotline number is a symbolic gesture that doesn't address root causes of sexual assault or guarantee higher usage rates
  • Space and design concerns: Universities may have legitimate concerns about fitting additional information on ID cards while maintaining security features and institutional branding

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

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