Georgia CommonsHB 1045: You Are Not Alone Awareness Act; enact
Last action March 4, 2026 · Senate Read and Referred
House Bill 1045 would require Georgia public schools that issue ID badges to students in grades six through 12 to print the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis hotline number on those badges starting July 1, 2026.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Comm Sub version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
Georgia law does not currently require student identification badges to carry any crisis hotline information. House Bill 1045, called the 'You Are Not Alone Awareness Act,' changes that by adding a new section to Georgia's education code (O.C.G.A. Title 20). Under the bill, any local school system or public school that issues ID badges to students in grades six through 12 must print a specific message on badges issued on or after July 1, 2026. The message tells students to call or text 9-8-8, the national crisis hotline, if they are experiencing a suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or substance abuse challenges, and notes the hotline operates around the clock every day of the year. Schools that do not issue ID badges to these grades are not required to start doing so; the rule only applies to badges already being issued.
What the bill does
- Creates a new Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779.5) requiring specific wording about the 9-8-8 crisis hotline on student ID badges.
- Applies only to schools and school systems that already issue ID badges to students in grades six through 12.
- Sets July 1, 2026 as the date after which newly issued badges must include the hotline message.
- Specifies the exact text schools must print, including hours of availability and the crisis situations covered.
Who it affects
Public middle and high school students in grades six through 12 whose schools issue ID badges, and the local school systems and schools responsible for producing those badges and updating their printing to include the new hotline message.
Why it matters
Students who carry school ID badges would see a reminder about the 9-8-8 crisis hotline every time they use their badge, potentially making it easier for them to recall a resource for suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or substance abuse issues during difficult moments.
Key provisions
- Section 1 names the bill the 'You Are Not Alone Awareness Act.'
- Section 2 adds new Code section 20-2-779.5, requiring the 9-8-8 message on ID badges issued on or after July 1, 2026, and applying only to grades six through 12.
- The required text explicitly states the hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- A final repealer clause removes any conflicting existing laws, a standard technical provision.
From the bill
“9-8-8 - You are not alone. Right now, anyone experiencing a suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or challenges with substance abuse should call or text 9-8-8.”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
- House Third Readers (House)
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Tangie Herring (D, HD-145)
- Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
- Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
- Phil Olaleye (D, HD-059)
- Bethany Ballard (R, HD-147)
- Stacey Evans (D, HD-057)
Votes
- House voteMarch 3, 2026
168 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 7 absent)
Topics
- school safety
- mental health
- suicide prevention
- student identification badges
- 9-8-8 crisis hotline