Bill Text: CA SB997 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Senate Bill 997

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Pupil health: opioid antagonists and fentanyl test strips.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-08-22 - Ordered to third reading. [SB997 Detail]

Download: California-2023-SB997-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 997

Introduced by Senator Portantino

January 31, 2024

An act to add Section 49414.6 to the Education Code, relating to pupil health.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 997, as introduced, Portantino. Pupil health: naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray and fentanyl test strips.

Existing law requires the governing board of any school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils. Existing law authorizes a school district, county office of education, and charter school to provide emergency naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist to school nurses or trained personnel who have volunteered, and authorizes school nurses or trained personnel to use naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist to provide emergency medical aid to persons suffering, or reasonably believed to be suffering, from an opioid overdose, as provided.

This bill would authorize school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to develop and adopt a policy that allows pupils in middle schools and high schools to carry a federally approved naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, as provided, for the emergency treatment of persons suffering, or reasonably believed to be suffering, from an opioid overdose. The bill would require public middle schools and high schools that are operated by a local educational agency to stock and distribute fentanyl test strips, as provided, and to notify pupils about the presence and location of fentanyl test strips. To the extent the bill would impose additional duties on local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 49414.6 is added to the Education Code, to read:

49414.6.

(a) Local educational agencies may develop and adopt a policy that allows pupils in middle schools and high schools to carry a federally approved naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter, nonprescription use for the emergency treatment of persons suffering, or reasonably believed to be suffering, from an opioid overdose.

(b) Middle schools and high schools operated by a local educational agency shall do both of the following:

(1) Stock fentanyl test strips in a secured location and distribute the fentanyl test strips as needed. Written instructions on how to properly use the fentanyl test strips shall be distributed together with the fentanyl test strips.

(2) Notify pupils of the presence and location of fentanyl test strips.

(c) For purposes of this section, a “local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter schools.

SEC. 2.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.