NJ S1937

Bill

NJ S1937

Requires public and nonpublic secondary schools to annually conduct written or verbal substance use screening on all students using a particular screening program.

Introduced
01/09/2024

In Committee
01/09/2024

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill will require school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools to provide for an annual written or verbal substance use screening on each high school student. The screening will assess the student's risk for substance abuse using the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) program. If the student screens positive for potential substance misuse, the person administering the screening will be required to provide brief counseling using motivational interviewing and assist the student with referral to treatment options, if needed. The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Families, using existing public and private training resources, will make available to school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools, training for personnel using the SBIRT program. Under the provisions of the bill, the parent or guardian of a student being screened must be given prior written notice of the screening and an opportunity to have the student opt out of the screening. The bill also includes a provision regarding the privacy of information collected during the screening. Statements made by a student during a screening are considered confidential information and cannot be disclosed by a person receiving the statement to any other person without the prior written consent of the student and the student's parent or guardian, except in cases of immediate medical emergency or if disclosure is otherwise required by State law. A school district, charter school, or nonpublic school is permitted to opt out of the SBIRT program required pursuant to the bill, if it is implementing an alternative screening program and provides to the Department of Education a detailed description of the alternative program and the reasons why the SBIRT program is not appropriate for its use. The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Human Services, will promulgate regulations to effectuate the provisions of this bill, including standards pursuant to which the SBIRT program will be conducted.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that all public and nonpublic secondary schools in New Jersey must conduct an annual substance use screening for students in grades nine through twelve, utilizing the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program, which is designed to identify alcohol or drug problems and guide appropriate interventions. If a student screens positive for potential substance misuse, the individual administering the screening, who must be a qualified professional such as a certified student assistance coordinator, school nurse, counselor, social worker, psychologist, or licensed healthcare professional depending on the school type, is required to provide brief counseling using motivational interviewing and help connect the student with treatment options if necessary. Parents or guardians will receive prior written notice of the screening and have the right to opt their child out, and any information shared by a student during the screening is considered confidential and protected, with limited exceptions for immediate medical emergencies or legal requirements. Schools can opt out of the SBIRT program if they implement an alternative screening program that is detailed and justified to the Department of Education, and the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, along with the Department of Children and Families, will provide training for school personnel on how to administer the SBIRT program. The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Human Services, will establish regulations to implement these provisions, and the law will take effect at the start of the first full school year after its enactment.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (6)

Teresa Ruiz (D)*, Joe Vitale (D)*, Tony Bucco (R), Owen Henry (R), Angela Mcknight (D), Shirley Turner (D),

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1937

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1937
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1937_I1.HTM
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S2000/1937_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
A2504	Requires public and nonpublic secondary schools to annually conduct written or verbal substance use screening on all students using a particular screening program.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee	Carry Over
A3606	Requires public and nonpublic secondary schools to annually conduct written or verbal substance use screening on all students using a particular screening program.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee	Same As
S298	Requires public and nonpublic secondary schools to annually conduct written or verbal substance use screening on all students using a particular screening program.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee	Carry Over

Bill > S1937

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary