South Carolina § 59-1-375 - Student identification cards; contact information for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

§ 59-1-375. Student identification cards; contact information for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

(A) A public school, including a charter school, that serves any students in 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 Lifeline. The school 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 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 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 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 Office of Mental Health's website.

HISTORY: 2021 Act No. 45 (S.231), SECTION 2, eff July 1, 2022.

Code Commissioner's Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18.

Editor's Note

2021 Act No. 45, SECTIONS 1, 3, provide as follows:

"SECTION 1. This act must be known and may be cited as the 'Student Identification Card Suicide Prevention Act'."

"SECTION 3. If a public school or institution of higher learning subject to the provisions of this act has a supply of unissued student identification cards that do not comply with the requirements of this act, then the school or institution may issue those student identification cards until the supply is depleted."