The bill amends the Revised Code to enhance substance use education for students in Ohio by requiring the Department of Education and Workforce, in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, to develop a list of evidence-based curricula and instructional strategies. It mandates that nonchartered nonpublic schools include age-appropriate instruction on the harmful effects of substance use in their health curriculum, while chartered nonpublic schools may provide similar instruction at their discretion. Additionally, the bill introduces new reporting requirements for school districts and public schools to annually report on their prevention-focused programs, including details on curricula, professional development, community partnerships, and substance abuse cases.

Furthermore, the bill establishes new requirements for educational institutions to provide annual instruction on the harmful effects of substance use for students in grades K-12, ensuring that the instruction is age and developmentally appropriate and aligns with best-practice frameworks. It allows the Department to use reported information to guide funding distribution for prevention programs and defines "substance use" to encompass various substances, including marijuana, alcohol, and opioids. The legislation also repeals existing sections of the Revised Code related to substance use education, streamlining the legal framework to improve prevention education practices.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3313.60, 3313.6024
As Reported By Senate Committee: 3301.0732, 3313.60, 3313.6024
As Passed By Senate: 3301.0732, 3313.60, 3313.6024