§ 18A:40A-16 — Guidelines, materials for program

9. a. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services, shall establish guidelines for substance use education programs to be offered by local boards of education to the parents or legal guardians of public school pupils. The program shall, at a minimum, provide: (1) A thorough and comprehensive review of the substance use education curriculum which will be taught to the child of the parent or guardian during the school year, with recommendations as to the ways in which the parent or guardian may enhance, reinforce and supplement that program; (2) Information on the pharmacology, physiology, psychosocial and legal aspects of substance use, and instruction to assist the parent or guardian in the identification of the symptoms and behavioral patterns which might indicate that a child may be involved in substance use; and (3) Information on the State, local and community organizations which are available for the prevention, early intervention, treatment and rehabilitation of individuals who show symptoms of substance use. b. In addition to the guidelines required pursuant this section, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services, shall develop and provide to local boards of education suggested materials for the substance use education program for parents or legal guardians of school pupils, and shall maintain and continuously update a roster of individuals or groups available to assist boards of education in implementing this program and a list of State and local agencies and organizations which are approved by the Department of Health to provide services for the prevention, early intervention, treatment or rehabilitation of individuals who show symptoms of substance use disorder. 1987, c. 387, s.9; amended 2023, c.177, s.46.