PRINTER'S NO. 299

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.121 Session of 2017
INTRODUCED BY KAUFER, READSHAW, FEE, DRISCOLL, TAYLOR, MURT, RADER, PICKETT, KAVULICH, DAVIS, MULLERY, NELSON, McNEILL, LONGIETTI, WATSON, BOBACK, SIMMONS, SAYLOR, CUTLER AND COOK, FEBRUARY 3, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study, further providing for alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse program.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 1547 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended to read:

Section 1547. Alcohol, [Chemical and] Tobacco and Other Drug Abuse Program.--(a) Beginning with school year 1991-1992 and each year thereafter, each public school student shall receive mandatory instruction in alcohol, [chemical and] tobacco and other drug abuse in every year in every grade from kindergarten through grade twelve. The instruction shall be integrated within the health course of study required in accordance with the State Board of Education regulations. In grades where health is offered, instruction may also be integrated into other appropriate courses of study. In grades where health is not offered, instruction shall be integrated into an appropriate curriculum requirement as listed in 22 Pa. Code § 5.4(b).

(1) This instruction:
(i) Shall be age appropriate.
(ii) Shall be sequential in method of study.
(iii) Shall discourage the use of alcohol, tobacco and controlled substances.
(v) Shall create a program with the goal of reducing or eliminating the incidence and prevalence of student alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse.
(vi) Shall communicate opioid abuse prevention, with an emphasis on the prescription drug epidemic and the connection between prescription opioid abuse and addiction to other drugs, including heroin.
(vii) Shall increase the knowledge and skills of students for avoiding the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.

(2) Each school district may provide a comprehensive program of prevention and may utilize any appropriate public or private materials, personnel and other resources in developing and implementing this program of instruction and prevention. School districts are encouraged to use interactive materials to maximize group interactions with prevention programs with the involvement of community components including, but not limited to, the use of self-help groups. The Department of Health, Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs, shall make available information about appropriate curriculum materials and the creation of a comprehensive program of prevention upon request of a school district. In developing its alcohol, [chemical and] tobacco and other drug abuse instructional program, each school district shall consult with the single county authority designated by the Department of Health Drug and Alcohol Programs to provide drug and alcohol services in the school district's area.
(b) Each school district is hereby authorized to develop and offer programs relating to alcohol, [chemical and] tobacco and other drug abuse for parents of students enrolled in the public schools. If a school district does develop such programs, they shall be developed in consultation with the single county authority designated by the Department of Health Drug and Alcohol Programs to provide drug and alcohol services in the school district's area. Such programs shall be offered at no cost to parents.
(c) The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Health Drug and Alcohol Programs, shall develop curriculum guidelines for instruction on alcohol, [chemical and] tobacco and other drug abuse and the laws governing their use and misuse. These guidelines shall encourage the inclusion of the following elements where appropriate in the instruction:
(1) Detailed factual information regarding the physiological, psychological, sociological and legal aspects of substance abuse.
(2) Detailed information regarding the availability of help and assistance for students and their families with alcohol, [chemical and] tobacco and other drug dependency problems, including prescription opioid abuse.
(3) The goals of quality education as set forth in 22 Pa. Code § 5.13(f).
(4) Skills needed to evaluate advertisements for and media portrayals of alcohol, [chemical and] tobacco and other drug products.
(5) Detailed instruction on the need for and the role of lawful authority and law-abiding behavior, including interaction with members of the legal and justice community.
(d) Beginning with the 1991-1992 school year and each year thereafter, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Health Drug and Alcohol Programs, shall make available, to all school districts and intermediate units, in-service training programs based upon the instruction requirements established in subsection (a) and the curriculum guidelines established in subsection (c). The programs shall provide preparation for the teaching of mandated instruction in alcohol, [chemical and] tobacco and other drug abuse. The in-service programs may utilize the single county authorities designated by the Department of Health Drug and Alcohol Programs or such other institutions, agencies or persons as the Secretary of Education deems appropriate.
(e) Beginning with the 1991-1992 school year, each school district shall provide, as part of its in-service training, programs on alcohol, drugs, tobacco and dangerous controlled substances for all instructors whose teaching responsibilities include courses of study in which mandated instruction concerning alcohol, [chemical and] tobacco and other drug abuse is integrated. To comply with this requirement, a school district may utilize the programs made available by the Department of Education or use other alternative programs.
...

This act is about amending a previous law regarding the public school system in Pennsylvania. The amendment focuses on providing mandatory instruction in alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse for all public school students from kindergarten to grade twelve. The instruction will be integrated into the health course of study and discourage the use of these substances. The amendment also emphasizes the prevention of opioid abuse, including prescription drug abuse. Each school district may develop comprehensive programs for prevention, utilize appropriate materials, and consult with authorities on drug services. The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Health Drug and Alcohol Programs, will develop curriculum guidelines and provide in-service training programs for teachers. The amendment also highlights the need for programs on substance abuse for parents and the dissemination of information about help and assistance for students and their families. The Department of Education shall report on the activities and effectiveness of the program, and the State Board of Education will adopt necessary rules and regulations.

Rep. Michael Driscoll

Stats

Sponsored Legislation