The Senate passed “Laken’s Law” on Saturday, legislation that would mandate fentanyl, heroin and other opioid prevention and awareness education, as well as use of naloxone, in grades six through 12.
House Bill 5540 would require annual education about the health dangers of substance abuse, the available resources, and organizations working to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse, the specific dangers of fentanyl, heroin and opioids as well as the use of naloxone or other opioid reversal drugs.
Laken’s Law would require annual instruction in all public school grades six through 12 starting with the 2024-2025 school year.
The bill has to go back to the House of Delegates for final approval. The Senate reworded a couple of sentences in the bill to make it more technically sound.
The Senate is adjourned until Monday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m.
Afternoon Meetings:
Judiciary at 12:15 p.m. in 208W
Finance at 12:15 p.m. in 451M
