WEST virginia legislature

2024 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 750

By Senators Caputo and Woelfel
[By Request]

[Originating in the Committee on Education; and then to the Committee on Rules; reported February 21, 2024]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-30, relating to Laken’s Law; requiring each school district to annually provide age-appropriate, research-based instruction related to the dangers posed by the drug fentanyl to students in grades six through 12; encouraging school districts to provide the instruction during Red Ribbon Week; specifying topics that the instruction is to include; specifying who may provide the instruction; and requiring instruction to begin in the 2024-2025 school year.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

§18-2-30. Laken’s Law; requiring instruction related to the dangers of fentanyl.

(a) This section shall be known as “Laken’s Law”.

(b) Each school district shall annually provide age-appropriate, research-based instruction related to the dangers posed by the drug fentanyl to students in grades six through 12. School districts are encouraged to provide this instruction during Red Ribbon Week.

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

(1) Overdose and fentanyl poisoning awareness;

(2) Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to fentanyl;

(3) Awareness of local school and community resources available to address fentanyl related issues and any processes involved in accessing those resources; and

(4) Health education that includes information about fentanyl use and abuse, including fentanyl use and abuse by youth.

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

(1) A county board of education;

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

(3) A library;

(4) A community service organization;

(5) A religious organization;

(6) A local public health agency; or

(7) An organization employing mental health professionals.

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