Effective Immediately—A New North Carolina Law Requires Public and Private Schools to Provide Students Phone Numbers for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the N.C. Peer Warmline

Beginning in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, public elementary and secondary schools, private independent schools, private religious schools, charter schools, community colleges, and public colleges and universities are required to provide to students the phone numbers for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the N.C. Peer Warmline. This requirement is included in the North Carolina state budget, which Governor Stein signed into law on July 7, 2026.

Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

The new law requires local boards of education to adopt the policy in all school districts across the state. Local school boards will also be required to verify the phone numbers for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and N.C. Peer Warmline on an annual basis and use the following exact phrasing:

“To reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or text HOME to 741741” and “To reach the N.C. Peer Warmline, call 855-733-7762” in the following places:

• In a conspicuous location on any new student identification (student ID) issued to a student in grades 6 through 12. The text may be printed on the ID or on a sticker that is placed on the ID.
  • Importantly, this does not require schools to issue student IDs.
• On the school website
• On the home screen of any electronic device issued to students
  • Notably, the law does not require schools to issue devices to individual students. For devices that are shared, used at school, and are not issued to a particular student -- which often includes devices used by younger students -- this requirement does not apply.
• On any school agenda or calendar, whether digital or printed
• On a document during any suicide awareness activity
• On a document when the student registers to attend school

Private Independent Schools, Private Religious Schools, and Charter Schools

These schools must also verify the phone numbers for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and N.C. Peer Warmline on an annual basis, and use the same precise phrasing:

“To reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or text HOME to 741741” and “To reach the N.C. Peer Warmline, call 855-733-7762” in the following places:

• In a conspicuous location on any new student identification (student ID) issued to a student in grades 6 through 12. The text may be printed on the ID or on a sticker that is placed on the ID.
  • Importantly, this does not require schools to issue student IDs.
• On the school website
• On the home screen of any electronic device issued to students
  • Notably, the law does not require schools to issue devices to individual students. For devices that are shared, used at school, and are not issued to a particular student -- which often includes devices used by younger students -- this requirement does not apply.
• On any school agenda or calendar, whether digital or printed
• On a document during any suicide awareness activity
• On a document when the student registers to attend school

Community Colleges and Public Colleges and Universities

The State Board of Community Colleges and the Board of Governors must each adopt a policy requiring all community colleges and public colleges and universities, respectively, to provide students with phone numbers for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the N.C. Peer Warmline. Each Board must verify the phone numbers annually, and use the required phrasing:

“To reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or text HOME to 741741” and “To reach the N.C. Peer Warmline, call 855-733-7762” in the following places:

• In a conspicuous location on any new student identification (student ID) issued. The text may be printed on the ID or on a sticker that is placed on the ID.
  • Importantly, this does not require community colleges or public colleges and universities to issue student IDs.
• On the school website
• On the home screen of any electronic device issued to students
  • Notably, the law does not require community colleges or public colleges and universities to issue devices to individual students. For devices that are shared, used on campus, and are not issued to a particular student, this requirement does not apply.
• On any school agenda or calendar, whether digital or printed
• On a document during any suicide awareness activity
• On a document when the student registers to attend school

As public and private schools implement this new law, the Education Lawyers at Brooks Pierce are available to provide support as questions and needs arise.