New York A 5745: Relates to the creation of Melinda's Law in relation to the basis for removal of children

Bill Text

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A05745 Summary:

BILL NOA05745 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORSolages

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COSPNSRBrown K

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MLTSPNSR

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Amd §804, Ed L

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Creates substance use prevention and recovery resource materials which include age-appropriate information on the risks of drug use, overdoses, and how to include resources from outside of the school district to improve instruction.

Go to top A05745 Actions:

BILL NOA05745 

&nbsp

02/20/2025referred to education

01/07/2026referred to education

Go to topA05745 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA05745 Floor&nbspVotes:

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

Go to topA05745 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 5745

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 February 20, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES, K. BROWN -- read once and referred to
 the Committee on Education

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to creating substance use
 prevention and recovery resource materials for schools

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

 1 Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 804 of the education law, as
 2 amended by chapter 390 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as
 3 follows:
 4 4. (a) Instruction regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, in
 5 addition to continued health guidance in the junior high school grades
 6 and the senior high schools, shall be an integral part of a required
 7 health education course at each of these levels in the secondary schools
 8 curriculum. Students shall be required to demonstrate knowledge in the
 9 subject area through the use of a test, graded project or report, or any
 10 other means prescribed by the school authorities regarding alcohol,
 11 drugs, and tobacco. Any such course shall be taught by teachers holding
 12 a certificate to teach health. Related courses in the secondary school
 13 curriculum shall be taught in a manner supportive of health education
 14 regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. In addition, instruction
 15 regarding the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or
 16 drugs shall be an integral part of a required health education course in
 17 the senior high schools. Such instruction shall be provided in all
 18 senior high schools whether or not these schools also provide driver
 19 education courses.
 20 (b) Instruction regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs may also
 21 include substance use prevention and recovery resource materials devel-
 22 oped and updated annually by the commissioner in consultation with the
 23 office of addiction services and supports. The commissioner shall, in
 24 developing the substance use prevention and recovery resource materials,
 25 use effective, research-proven, interactive teaching methods and tech-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD09926-01-5

 A. 5745 2

 1 nologies. Such resource materials shall be distributed to each school
 2 district within the state and shall be made available on the depart-
 3 ment's website. The resource materials shall provide:
 4 (i) students, parents, and school staff with scientific, social, and
 5 emotional learning content to help them understand the risk of drug use.
 6 (ii) information specifically targeting the dangers of prescription
 7 pain medication and heroin abuse.
 8 (iii) guidance for school districts and educators regarding student
 9 instruction in the topics of substance use prevention and recovery at an
 10 age and developmentally appropriate level.
 11 (iv) age-appropriate, comprehensive, reality-based, safety-focused,
 12 medically accurate and evidence-informed information that reduces
 13 substance use risk factors and promotes protective factors.
 14 (v) information about where to locate stories and perspectives of
 15 people with lived experiences for incorporation into classroom instruc-
 16 tion.
 17 (vi) resources regarding how to make substance use prevention and
 18 recovery instruction interactive at each grade level.
 19 (vii) information on how school districts may involve parents, care-
 20 givers, teachers, healthcare providers, and community members in the
 21 instruction