CHAPTER 176
An Act to amend and reenact §23.1-802.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; student identification cards; emergency services website page and telephone numbers.
[H 163]
Approved March 28, 2024

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §23.1-802.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§23.1-802.1. Student identification cards; 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; emergency services website page and telephone numbers.

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Digital student identification card" means a digital identification or digital wallet issued by a public institution of higher education to identify and authenticate a student's status or information.

"Emergency services website page" means the website page required to be maintained by each public institution of higher education pursuant to subsection D.

"Physical student identification card" means a tangible, non-digital card or document issued by a public institution of higher education to identify and authenticate a student's status or information.

"QR code" means a two-dimensional matrix barcode consisting of blocks arranged in a grid that can be read by an imaging device.

"URL" means Uniform Resource Locator.

B. Each public institution of higher education that issues physical student identification cards shall print on one side of each student identification card "988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline." and the URL of its emergency services website page. Each public institution of higher education may print on one side of each student identification card a QR code that directs to such URL. Each such public institution of higher education shall also:

1. Ensure that "988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline" is clearly printed and conspicuously labeled on each physical student identification card; and

2. Annually review the telephone number for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline being included on each physical student identification card to ensure that such contact information is accurate and current.

C. Each public institution of higher education that issues digital student identification cards shall include alongside other student resources on such cards "988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline" and the URL of its emergency services website page. Each such public institution of higher education shall also annually review the telephone number for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline included on each digital student identification card to ensure that such contact information is accurate and current.

D. Each public institution of higher education shall maintain and annually update as necessary to ensure accuracy and currency a website page that includes telephone numbers for the following emergency services:

1. The law enforcement, fire department, and emergency medical services applicable to the geographical area in which such institution is located;

2. The institution's campus police department, any additional security departments or services available on campus pursuant to § 23.1-818, and any emergency medical services or student health departments available on campus; and

3. The sexual assault crisis center or victim support service with which such institution entered into a memorandum of understanding pursuant to §23.1-807 and the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

2. That the provisions of this act shall apply to each new digital or physical student identification card and any replacement digital or physical student identification card issued by any public institution of higher education beginning with the 2024–2025 academic year.