2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25103388D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2287

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 8, 2025

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-272.1:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to guidelines and policies on school-connected overdose; response and parental notification.

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Patrons—Coyner, Campbell, Cherry, Earley, Ennis, Green, Owen, Taylor, Walker and Williams

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Referred to Committee on Education

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 22.1-272.1:1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 22.1-272.1:1. Guidelines and policies on school-connected overdose; response and parental notification.

A. The Board shall establish guidelines for school-connected overdose response and parental notification policies to aid local school boards in the implementation of such policies. The guidelines shall include (i) a model action plan for each school board to follow in responding to any school-connected overdose, including communicating and coordinating with (a) the Department and (b) the applicable law-enforcement liaison or the local law-enforcement agency that, pursuant to § 22.1-280.2:3, employs such school division's school resources officers, and (ii) criteria for issuing parental notification to ensure sensitivity to the privacy interests of affected individuals and compliance with any applicable law, rules, or regulations relating to the disclosure and protection of a minor's personal, confidential, or otherwise sensitive information:

1. Guidance and model language for the development and implementation of a policy requiring each school board to provide within 24 hours of any school-connected overdose notification to the parent of each student within the local school division, including criteria for ensuring sensitivity to the privacy interests of affected individuals in issuing such notification;

2. School-connected overdose response and prevention plans and strategies, including model action plans for collaboration between school boards and state law enforcement in responding to school-connected overdoses, implementing school-connected overdose prevention strategies, and developing and providing educational programs for students on overdose awareness and prevention; and

3. Information for parents relating to educational resources and programs for students relating to overdose awareness and prevention, including programs aimed at helping students develop decision-making skills and understand relevant law relating to substance abuse, as well as the "One Pill Can Kill" campaign and the Virginia Rules education program.

B. Each school board shall notify the parent of each student in the local school division of any school-connected overdose within 24 hours of the overdose occurring. Such notification may be provided through telephone, email, or other methods of communication, provided that such method of notification is consistent with the guidance and criteria developed by the Board pursuant to subdivision A 1.

2. That each school board shall fully implement the provisions of this act, consistent with the guidelines developed by the Board of Education pursuant to subsection A of § 22.1-272.1:1 of the Code of Virginia, as amended by this act, by the beginning of the 2025–2026 school year.