New York S 8466: Enacts the Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers Act

Bill Text

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S08466 Summary:

BILL NOS08466 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A08540

&nbsp

SPONSORRHOADS

&nbsp

COSPNSRSCARCELLA-SPANTON

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Amd §804, add §804-e, Ed L

&nbsp

Requires the education department, in consultation with the department of health, to develop and adopt a comprehensive fentanyl education, awareness, and recognition program for all public, charter, and private schools in the state.

Go to top S08466 Actions:

BILL NOS08466 

&nbsp

07/23/2025REFERRED TO RULES

01/07/2026REFERRED TO EDUCATION

Go to topS08466 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS08466 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS08466 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 8466

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 July 23, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. RHOADS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "Fentanyl
 Fathers and Mothers act"

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 2 the "Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers act".
 3 § 2. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature finds and
 4 declares that:
 5 (a) Fentanyl abuse and drug poisoning have become a significant public
 6 health crisis, with deadly consequences, particularly among youth;
 7 (b) Public awareness, education, and the ability to recognize the
 8 signs of fentanyl poisoning are essential to saving lives;
 9 (c) Bereaved parents, who have lost children to fentanyl, can provide
 10 the most compelling and impactful testimony to educate students on the
 11 dangers of fentanyl; and
 12 (d) Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to mandate compre-
 13 hensive fentanyl education and awareness in New York schools by leverag-
 14 ing personal stories from bereaved parents, providing students with
 15 essential life-saving knowledge, and ensuring that naloxone is available
 16 to protect against overdose deaths. Through these measures, this act
 17 aims to save lives and prevent further tragedy due to fentanyl.
 18 § 3. Subdivisions 2 and 4 of section 804 of the education law, as
 19 amended by chapter 390 of the laws of 2016, are amended to read as
 20 follows:
 21 2. All schools shall include, as an integral part of health education,
 22 instruction so as to discourage the misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco
 23 and other drugs, including fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, and
 24 promote attitudes and behavior that enhance health, well being, and
 25 human dignity.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD11972-02-5

 S. 8466 2

 1 4. Instruction regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, including
 2 fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, in addition to continued health
 3 guidance in the junior high school grades and the senior high schools,
 4 shall be an integral part of a required health education course at each
 5 of these levels in the secondary schools curriculum. Students shall be
 6 required to demonstrate knowledge in the subject area through the use of
 7 a test, graded project or report, or any other means prescribed by the
 8 school authorities regarding alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, including
 9 fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Any such course shall be taught by
 10 teachers holding a certificate to teach health. Related courses in the
 11 secondary school curriculum shall be taught in a manner supportive of
 12 health education regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, including
 13 fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In addition, instruction regarding
 14 the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
 15 shall be an integral part of a required health education course in the
 16 senior high schools. Such instruction shall be provided in all senior
 17 high schools whether or not these schools also provide driver education
 18 courses.
 19 § 4. The education law is amended by adding a new section 804-e to
 20 read as follows:
 21 § 804-e. Fentanyl education, awareness and recognition. 1. The depart-
 22 ment, in co