WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2024 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 5540

By Delegates Stephens, Toney, Sheedy, Ellington, Barnhart, Hite, Willis, Rohrbach, and Dittman

[Introduced February 09, 2024; Referred to the Committee on Education]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §18-34-1, relating to mandating Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Education, which shall be known as "Laken's Law".

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 34. Laken's Law

§18-34-1. Laken's Law.

(a) The Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Education Act would help prevent overdose deaths in teens and young adults due to fentanyl and fentanyl components. This shall be accomplished through education of students in grades 6-12 in all public schools and be mandated annually using the following methods:

(1) Students will be taught about fentanyl awareness, prevention, and abuse;

(2) Students will be instructed in the life-saving use of NARCAN;

(3) Students will be instructed on the prevention of the abuse of and addiction to fentanyl;

(4) Students will be instructed on state and community resources that receive federal funding; and

(5) Students will receive health education covering the issues of substance abuse and youth substance abuse in particular.

(b) This mandatory instruction will begin in the 2024-2025 school year.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to mandate Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Education, which shall be known as "Laken's Law".

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