IL Senate committee passes bill requiring suicide prevention contact info on school employee IDs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — School districts could soon be required to include suicide prevention contact information on the back of school employee IDs.

Illinois currently requires districts to include this information on identification cards for students in grades 6 through 12. This legislation would ensure teachers and other school staff have the same information readily available.

Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) said the proposal is critical to ensure everyone knows there is help available.

"Illinois has worked to end the stigma surrounding mental health," Turner said. "This is an important step to increase awareness about the resources we have available. Having this information on staff IDs makes it readily accessible in a time of crisis, for either the teacher or a student they're assisting."

House Bill 3000 passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee Tuesday. The measure gained unanimous support in the House earlier this month.

"It's good for them to have the same information that the students have just so they know who to refer someone to and to refer them to their own IDs if they need assistance calling 9-8-8 or one of the hotlines," said Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton). "But also, teachers and staff may use that information for themselves too."