NY State Senate Bill 2025-S7140

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Apr 01, 2025	referred to education

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §804, Ed L

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Creates substance use prevention and recovery resource materials which include age-appropriate information on the risks of drug use, overdoses, fentanyl, including its high potency, the severe risks associated with its use, the prevalence of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, and the concept of fentanyl poisoning, and how to include resources from outside of the school district to improve instruction.

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7140

SPONSOR: CHAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

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

 
PURPOSE::

To provide students, educators, and families with evidence-based, devel-
opmentally appropriate educational materials addressing substance use
prevention, including the specific dangers of fentanyl.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::

Section 1: Amends Education Law § 804(4) to expand health education
curricula in secondary schools to include annually updated, research-
based substance use prevention and recovery resource materials developed
by the Commissioner of Education in consultation with the Office of
Addiction Services and Supports.

These resources must include:

*Scientific and emotional learning content about drug use risks.

*Specific guidance on fentanyl's potency, prevalence, and dangers.

*Statistically supported awareness of accidental fentanyl poisonings
among youth.

*Tools for community involvement and trauma-informed instruction.

*Harm reduction strategies, including the use of opioid antagonists and
test strips. Section 2: Establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION::

New York State continues to grapple with a rising tide of fentanyl-re-
lated fatalities, particularly among young people.  According to the
Department of Health, fentanyl is now the leading cause of drug-related
deaths among adolescents and young adults. Its lethal potency-often
invisible and unknowingly ingested through counterfeit pills or laced
substances-has made it a public health emergency.

Education is our first and strongest line of defense. This legislation
ensures that students in junior high and senior high schools receive
critical instruction not only about traditional substances like alcohol
and tobacco, but also about the current dangers posed by synthetic
opioids like fentanyl. It takes a comprehensive approach that blends
health education with trauma-informed practices, community involvement,
and current overdose prevention strategies.

The bill responds directly to a disturbing trend: teenagers dying from
substances they did not know contained fentanyl. These are not tradi-
tional overdose cases but poisonings, and the educational system must
evolve to address this crisis accordingly.


This initiative also aligns with national best practices. Colorado's HB
22-1326 and similar legislative efforts around the country reflect a
growing consensus: that education about substance use must begin early,
be grounded in science, and be responsive to changing drug landscapes.

By requiring the development and distribution of up-to-date resource
materials that reflect the lived realities of New York's youth and fami-
lies, this bill empowers educators to teach with clarity, equips
students to make informed choices, and helps prevent future tragedies.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::

Minimal. The Department of Education shall leverage existing resources
in collaboration with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to
develop the required materials.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE::

This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law.

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7140
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               April 1, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  CHAN  --  read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed 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:
 
   Section  1.  Subdivision  4  of  section  804 of the education law, as
 amended by chapter 390 of the laws  of  2016,  is  amended  to  read  as
 follows:
   4.  (A)  Instruction  regarding  alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, in
 addition to continued health guidance in the junior high  school  grades
 and  the  senior  high  schools, shall be an integral part of a required
 health education course at each of these levels in the secondary schools
 curriculum. Students shall be required to demonstrate knowledge  in  the
 subject area through the use of a test, graded project or report, or any
 other  means  prescribed  by  the  school authorities regarding alcohol,
 drugs, and tobacco. Any such course shall be taught by teachers  holding
 a  certificate  to teach health. Related courses in the secondary school
 curriculum shall be taught in a manner supportive  of  health  education
 regarding  alcohol,  tobacco,  and other drugs. In addition, instruction
 regarding the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or
 drugs shall be an integral part of a required health education course in
 the senior high schools. Such  instruction  shall  be  provided  in  all
 senior  high  schools  whether  or not these schools also provide driver
 education courses.
   (B) INSTRUCTION REGARDING ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND OTHER DRUGS  MAY  ALSO
 INCLUDE  SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND RECOVERY RESOURCE MATERIALS DEVEL-
 OPED AND UPDATED ANNUALLY BY THE COMMISSIONER IN CONSULTATION  WITH  THE
 OFFICE  OF  ADDICTION  SERVICES AND SUPPORTS. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, IN
 DEVELOPING THE SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND RECOVERY RESOURCE MATERIALS,
 USE EFFECTIVE, RESEARCH-PROVEN, INTERACTIVE TEACHING METHODS  AND  TECH-
 NOLOGIES.  SUCH  RESOURCE  MATERIALS SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO EACH SCHOOL
 DISTRICT WITHIN THE STATE AND SHALL BE MADE  AVAILABLE  ON  THE  DEPART-
 MENT'S WEBSITE. THE RESOURCE MATERIALS SHALL PROVIDE:

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11484-01-5
 S. 7140                             2
 
   (I)  STUDENTS,  PARENTS, AND SCHOOL STAFF WITH SCIENTIFIC, SOCIAL, AND
 EMOTIONAL LEARNING CONTENT TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE RISK OF DRUG USE;
   (II)  INFORMATION  SPECIFICALLY  TARGETING THE DANGERS OF PRESCRIPTION
 PAIN MEDICATION AND HEROIN ABUSE;
   (III) GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND  EDUCATORS  REGARDING  STUDENT
 INSTRUCTION IN THE TOPICS OF SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND RECOVERY AT AN
 AGE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE LEVEL;
   (IV)  AGE-APPROPRIATE,  COMPREHENSIVE,  REALITY-BASED, SAFETY-FOCUSED,
 MEDICALLY  ACCURATE  AND  EVIDENCE-INFORMED  INFORMATION  THAT   REDUCES
 SUBSTANCE USE RISK FACTORS AND PROMOTES PROTECTIVE FACTORS;
   (V)  COMPREHENSIVE, REALITY-BASED, SAFETY-FOCUSED, MEDICALLY ACCURATE,
 AND  EVIDENCE-INFORMED  INFORMATION  SPECIFICALLY  ADDRESSING  FENTANYL,
 INCLUDING  ITS  HIGH  POTENCY, THE SEVERE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS USE,
 THE PREVALENCE OF COUNTERFEIT PILLS CONTAINING FENTANYL, AND THE CONCEPT
 OF FENTANYL POISONING;
   (VI) INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE TO LOCATE  STORIES  AND  PERSPECTIVES  OF
 PEOPLE  WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES FOR INCORPORATION INTO CLASSROOM INSTRUC-
 TION;
   (VII) RESOURCES REGARDING HOW TO MAKE  SUBSTANCE  USE  PREVENTION  AND
 RECOVERY INSTRUCTION INTERACTIVE AT EACH GRADE LEVEL;
   (VIII)  INFORMATION ON HOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY INVOLVE PARENTS, CARE-
 GIVERS, TEACHERS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, AND  COMMUNITY  MEMBERS  IN  THE
 INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS;
   (IX)  WAYS TO CREATE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF
 DIVERSE DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS AND APPROPRIATE  FOR  EACH  AGE,  GRADE,  AND
 CULTURE REPRESENTED IN CLASSROOMS IN THIS STATE;
   (X)  RESOURCES THAT REFLECT THE PREVENTION CONTINUUM FROM UNIVERSAL TO
 SELECTED TACTICS THAT ADDRESS YOUNG PEOPLE'S SUBSTANCE USE, AND  CURRENT
 AND PROJECTED SUBSTANCE USE AND OVERDOSE TRENDS;
   (XI)  RESOURCES  THAT  REFLECT  THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION FOR YOUTH,
 THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMUNITY ABOUT:
   (A) SUBSTANCE TYPES,  THE  SUBSTANCE  USE  CONTINUUM,  THE  IMPACT  OF
 SUBSTANCES  ON THE BRAIN AND BODY, AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS THAT LEAD TO
 SUBSTANCE USE, SUCH AS UNDERLYING CO-OCCURRING HEALTH ISSUES AND TRAUMA;
   (B) THE HISTORY OF DRUGS AND HEALTH POLICY IN THIS STATE AND THE COUN-
 TRY, THE IMPACT OF ZERO TOLERANCE, AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES;
   (C) RISK MITIGATION  AND  HARM  REDUCTION,  INCLUDING  ABSTINENCE  AND
 RESPONDING  TO AN OVERDOSE WITH THE USE OF OPIOID ANTAGONISTS AND FENTA-
 NYL TEST STRIPS;
   (D) ADDRESSING ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, SUCH AS  WITNESSING  AND
 EXPERIENCING  VIOLENCE,  ABUSE,  CAREGIVER LOSS, AND OTHER TRAUMA, ESPE-
 CIALLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR;
   (E) THE SOCIAL AND HEALTH INEQUITIES AMONG RACIAL AND  ETHNIC  MINORI-
 TIES; AND
   (F) STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES FOR COPING WITH STRESS, TRAUMA, SUBSTANCE
 USE,  AND  OTHER  RISKY BEHAVIOR IN NON-PUNITIVE WAYS TO HELP ONESELF OR
 OTHERS; AND
   (XII) STATISTICAL DATA AND CASE STUDIES  HIGHLIGHTING  THE  NUMBER  OF
 ACCIDENTAL  DEATHS  AMONG  TEENAGERS  ATTRIBUTED  TO FENTANYL POISONING,
 EMPHASIZING THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF AWARENESS AND PREVENTION  STRATE-
 GIES.
   §  2.  This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule  or  regulation  necessary
 for  the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
 to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

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Senate Bill S7140

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

Actions

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

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Sponsored By

Stephen T. Chan

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

Actions

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S7140 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments