College ID cards to carry 988 suicide hotline under new federal mandate

What it does

This bill amends federal mental health law to expand youth suicide prevention by requiring student-led peer intervention programs on campuses (athletic teams, mental health clubs) and mandating that states and colleges print the 988 suicide hotline number on student ID cards. It also directs the federal government to coordinate awareness campaigns across multiple agencies to promote the 988 hotline to young people.

Why we flagged it

The bill straightforwardly expands existing federal suicide prevention programs by mandating student peer-intervention groups and requiring 988 hotline visibility on college ID cards. It is a direct addition to public health authority, not a carve-out, immunity grant, or private benefit.

What the text implies

• Colleges may face compliance costs to redesign ID card systems and coordinate with state DMVs, though the bill does not appropriate funds for implementation.
• Student-led intervention programs may create liability questions if peer interventions are inadequate or harmful — the bill does not address training standards or legal protections for student volunteers.
• Coordination requirement across Education, Transportation, and other agencies may create bureaucratic delays in awareness campaign rollout if agencies lack dedicated funding.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill expands access to peer-led mental health support and ensures the 988 suicide hotline is more visible to college students and young people through ID cards and coordinated awareness campaigns. These are low-cost, evidence-aligned interventions that reduce barriers to help-seeking during mental health crises.

Named in the bill

Public Health Service Act, Section 520E–2(b)(10), Section 520E–3, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Transportation, Institutions of higher education, States

Where it stands

5 cosponsors: 3 Democrats, 2 Republicans.

• May 4, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• May 4, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

4 lobbying clients named this bill on 4 disclosure filings across 1 quarter, Jun 2026 to Jun 2026. Those filings disclosed $550,000 in lobbying spend. A filing names 7 bills on average, so that figure is what each filing reported, not a share belonging to this bill.

More lobbying clients named this bill than 72% of bills with at least one filing.

Erin Houchin, the sponsor, reported $1,063,750 in PAC receipts in the 2026 cycle.

• American Psychological Association Services Inc.(fka American Psychological Assn — $340,000 on 1 filing
• Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund — $110,000 on 1 filing
• Inseparable Action Inc. — $60,000 on 1 filing
• Active Minds — $40,000 on 1 filing

Lobbying Disclosure Act filings through Jul 20, 2026. A filing shows who paid to lobby on a bill it names, not what changed.