Bill > H1796

This bill aims to prevent adolescent substance abuse by expanding the use of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) techniques in public and private schools. Specifically, it amends existing law to require that school health screenings include a substance use screening using a validated tool, and these screenings must be conducted at least annually for students in grades 8 or 9, and 11. The bill also clarifies that these screenings should be performed by qualified personnel, such as nurses or physicians, approved by the Department of Public Health. Importantly, the results of these substance use screenings will not be kept in student files accessible for general inspection, and all results will be reported to the Department of Public Health anonymously, without identifying information, within 30 days of completion.