Marking World Mental Health Day, Governor Newsom signs AB 727 to make mental health resources more accessible to LGBTQ youth

What you need to know: AB 727 ensures LGBTQ students have access to crisis and suicide prevention support by adding resources to public school ID cards.

LOS ANGELES - Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced he signed AB 727 into law, requiring student ID cards in California's public middle schools, high schools, and colleges to include the phone number for The Trevor Project, a leading crisis and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth.

The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Mark González (D-Los Angeles), comes as the Trump administration removes LGBTQ suicide prevention programs and funding. AB 727 builds on California's 2018 suicide prevention ID card law by adding a targeted, affirming resource for LGBTQ students - many of whom face elevated risk for mental health challenges due to verbal, physical, and online harassment.

According to the Trevor Project, 35% of LGBTQ youth in California seriously considered suicide in the past year, and half who wanted mental health care did not receive it. AB 727 ensures these students don't just have support in theory - they have it in hand, every day.

"Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen for who they are. While some in Washington turn their backs on LGBTQ youth, California is choosing compassion over cruelty. AB 727 makes it clear: your identity doesn't disqualify you from care and community - it's exactly why we are fighting to make it easier to reach."

Governor Gavin Newsom