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.