Virginia SB 498: School-connected overdose policies; guidelines, parental notification and response.

Bill Text

2024SESSION
SENATESUBSTITUTE
24109245D
1 SENATEBILLNO.498
2 AMENDMENTINTHENATUREOFASUBSTITUTE
3 (ProposedbytheGovernor
4 onApril5,2024)
5 (PatronPriortoSubstitute––SenatorCarrollFoy)
6 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-272.1:1, relating to
7 school-connected overdoses; policies relating to parental notification and response; requirements.
8 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
9 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-272.1:1 as follows:
10 § 22.1-272.1:1. School-connected overdoses; response and prevention; parental notification;
11 requirements.
12 A. As used in this section:
13 "Overdose" means a life-threatening condition resulting from the consumption or use of a controlled
14 substance, alcohol, or any combination of such substances.
15 "School-connected overdose" includes any verified overdose that (i) occurs on school premises
16 during or after regular school hours or (ii) occurs during school-sanctioned activities whether on or off
17 school premises.
18 B. Each division superintendent or his designee shall notify the parent of each student in the local
19 school division of any school-connected overdose within 24 hours of learning of the overdose. The
20 parental notification shall include as much information as is available at the time on:
21 1. The cause of the overdose, including the name of the drug and any common street names
22 associated with the drug that caused the overdose; whether the drug was a combination of controlled
23 substances and, if so, the name of those controlled substances; and any identifying features of the drug,
24 including color, markings, and form; and
25 2. The circumstances surrounding the overdose, including the immediate response to the overdose by
26 any emergency responders and employees of the school board, to the extent that the disclosure of any
27 such information is not prohibited by any applicable law, rule, or regulation relating to the disclosure
28 and protection of a minor's personal, confidential, or otherwise sensitive information.
29 C. The Board shall establish guidelines for school-connected overdose response and parental
30 notification policies to aid local school boards in the implementation of such policies. The guidelines
31 shall include (i) a model action plan for each school board to follow in responding to any
32 school-connected overdose, including communicating and coordinating with (a) the Department and (b)
33 the applicable law-enforcement liaison or the local law-enforcement agency that, pursuant to
34 § 22.1-280.2:3, employs such school division's school resources officers, and (ii) criteria for issuing the
35 parental notification pursuant to subsection B to ensure sensitivity to the privacy interests of affected
36 individuals and compliance with any applicable law, rules, or regulations relating to the disclosure and
37 protection of a minor's personal, confidential, or otherwise sensitive information.
38 D. Each school board shall adopt, implement, and maintain policies consistent with subsection B and
39 the guidelines developed by the Board pursuant to subsection C.
SENATE
SUBSTITUTE
SB498S2
5/22/24
11:48