Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act; RAYS Act
Summary
The Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act (RAYS Act) aims to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It mandates that local educational agencies include mental health and suicide prevention information on student identification cards. The bill also requires agencies without ID cards to prominently display this information on their websites and online platforms.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the RAYS Act would ensure that students have readily available access to resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Crisis Text Line. This increased awareness and accessibility could lead to more students seeking help when needed. The Act also allows the Secretary to designate alternative services if the primary ones become unavailable.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness of mental health resources among students.
- Easier access to crisis hotlines and support services.
- Potential for reduced youth suicide rates.
- Proactive approach to mental health support in schools.
- Flexibility for local educational agencies in implementing the requirements.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential cost for local educational agencies to update or create student identification cards.
- Possible privacy concerns related to displaying sensitive information.
- Reliance on the effectiveness of the listed resources.
- The Act does not address underlying causes of youth suicide.
- Potential for increased burden on already strained mental health resources.
Constitutional Alignment
The RAYS Act appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to promote the well-being of students. Specifically, the preamble states the Constitution is intended to "promote the general Welfare". The Act does not infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or freedoms. The federal government's role in education is generally limited, but this act leverages federal funding to encourage specific actions by local educational agencies.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).