Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SB0350

Introduced

1/23/23

Engrossed

2/27/23

Enrolled

4/5/23

Passed

4/24/23

Chaptered

5/3/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to suicide prevention.

Impact

The law, effective July 1, 2023, represents a significant shift in how educational institutions are expected to handle student mental health issues. With this act, public colleges and universities will implement a proactive approach to mental health by ensuring that vital crisis intervention resources are readily available and directly connected to students. Institutions are also tasked with the responsibility of maintaining webpages featuring mental health support information, which serves to further enhance student awareness of available resources.

Summary

Senate Bill 350, known as the 'Save Tennessee Students Act', primarily targets the enhancement of mental health resources in public institutions of higher education within Tennessee. The bill mandates that all new student identification cards must include the number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, aiming to provide students easy access to mental health support. Additionally, institutions are required to list at least one other crisis resource on their student IDs and must also post crisis hotline information prominently on campus facilities.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding SB 350 is positive, recognizing the urgent need for improved mental health support systems in educational environments. Legislators from across the aisle appear to support the initiative, as mental health issues have become increasingly prominent among young people, particularly in the wake of the ongoing challenges posed by societal factors such as the pandemic. This has led to an acknowledgment that educational institutions play a critical role in safeguarding student welfare.

Contention

Although the bill has received widespread support, it has sparked discussion on the adequacy of the resources provided and the administrative burden placed on institutions to comply with the new requirements. Some critics detail concerns regarding the implementation logistics, such as funding for the new resources and the necessity of proper training for staff involved in mental health services. Despite these concerns, the overarching agreement remains that the legislature has made a crucial step towards prioritizing student mental health and safety.