21-04-2025
Proposed CA bill seeks to shield students from discipline when reporting overdoses
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A new California bill would stop colleges and universities from punishing students who call 911 for help during a drug overdose. Introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), the proposed legislation seeks to close the gap between California's Good Samaritan law, which protects individuals from criminal charges when reporting an overdose, and academic penalties that schools are still allowed to impose.
Assembly Bill 602 would prohibit colleges from issuing suspensions, expulsions or other disciplinary actions to students seeking help during a drug overdose. The institutions instead would be required to connect students to harm-reduction resources such as counseling and overdose education.
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'No student should have to choose between saving a life and continuing their education,' Haney said on AB 602. Supporters of the bill argue that lives will be saved through eliminating 'a major deterrent' in requesting emergency services, according to a news release from Haney's office.
'Especially with the rise of fentanyl related poisonings among young people, where a person takes a substance not knowing it includes fentanyl, we need this law now to protect young people and save lives,' said Haney.
The bill is currently awaiting its first hearing in the assembly.
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