Teachers across Illinois may soon have easier access to mental health crisis resources, thanks to legislation spearheaded by State Senator Doris Turner.

House Bill 3000, which recently passed the Senate Education Committee with bipartisan support, would require school districts serving students in grades 6-12 to include contact information for key mental health helplines on all employee ID badges. The resources include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line, and the Safe2Help Illinois helpline.

The measure builds on a 2021 law that required schools to share suicide prevention resources in student planners and IDs. Turner’s bill expands that effort by ensuring that staff members also have immediate access to those contacts, both for themselves and for students in crisis.

“Illinois has worked to end the stigma surrounding mental health,” Turner added. “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.”

The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.