WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2024 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 750

By Senators Caputo and Woelfel
[By Request]

[Introduced February 12, 2024; referred
to the Committee on Education]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-30, relating to fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness education in public schools; and establishing a Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week for grades 6 through 12, to be known as Laken's Law.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

§18-2-30. Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week.

(a) The state superintendent of schools in cooperation with the Governor shall designate  a week to be known as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week in public schools for students in grades six to 12, to educate students about  the dangers posed  by the drug  fentanyl and the risks of fentanyl poisoning, including overdose.

(b) Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week may include age-appropriate instruction, including instruction on the prevention of the abuse of and addiction to fentanyl, as determined by each school district.

(c) Each school district shall annually provide research-based instruction related to fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades six through 12.

(d) The instruction required by this section shall include:

(1) Suicide prevention;

(2) Fentanyl prevention of the abuse of and addiction to awareness of local school and community resources and any processes involved in accessing those resources; and

(3) Health education that includes information about substance use and abuse, including youth substance use and abuse.

(c) The instruction required by this section may be provided by an entity or an employee or agent of an entity that is:

(1) A public or private institution of higher education;

(2) A library;

(3) A community service organization;

(4) A religious organization;

(5) A local public health agency; or

(6) An organization employing mental health professionals.

(d) The instruction required by this section shall begin in the 2024-2025 school year.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish a Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week for grades 6 through 12., to be known as "Laken's Law", relating fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness education in public schools.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.