88R14432 AMF-D
By: Lujan H.B. No. 4374
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to substance abuse awareness programs in public schools
and public institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 28.002(r), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(r) In adopting the essential knowledge and skills for the
health curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(B), the State Board of
Education shall adopt essential knowledge and skills that address
the science, risk factors, causes, dangers, consequences, signs,
symptoms, and treatment of substance abuse, including the use of
illegal drugs, abuse of prescription drugs, abuse of alcohol such
as by binge drinking or other excessive drinking resulting in
alcohol poisoning, inhaling solvents, and other forms of substance
abuse. The agency shall compile a list of evidence-based substance
abuse awareness programs from which a school district shall choose
a program to use in the district's middle school, junior high
school, and high school health curriculum. An evidence-based
substance abuse awareness program under this subsection must
include instruction regarding the dangers posed by the use of the
drug fentanyl. In this subsection, "evidence-based substance abuse
awareness program" means a program, practice, or strategy that has
been proven to effectively prevent substance abuse among students,
as determined by evaluations that are evidence-based.
SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.9365 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.9365. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AWARENESS PROGRAM. (a) In
this section:
(1) "Evidence-based substance abuse awareness
program" means a program, practice, or strategy that has been
proven to effectively prevent substance abuse among students, as
determined by evaluations that are evidence-based.
(2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) Each institution of higher education shall include an
evidence-based substance abuse awareness program in the
orientation programming provided to incoming students. An
evidence-based substance abuse awareness program under this
section must include instruction regarding the dangers posed by the
use of the drug fentanyl.
SECTION 3. (a) Section 28.002(r), Education Code, as
amended by this Act, applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school
year.
(b) Section 51.9365, Education Code, as added by this Act,
applies beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.