SB284 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jay HoveySenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Public K-12 education, fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness required in grades 6 through 12.
Summary: SB284 would require public K-12 schools in Alabama to provide research-based fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness instruction to students in grades 6 through 12, starting in the 2024-2025 school year.
What This Bill Does
It requires annual, research-based instruction on fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness for grades 6-12, in a manner similar to other drug and alcohol education. The content must cover prevention of fentanyl abuse, awareness of local resources and how to access them, and health education about substance use. Instruction may be delivered by colleges, libraries, community organizations, religious groups, local public health agencies, mental health professionals, or school staff. It also requires a description of sanctions for violations of conduct standards, including possible expulsion from school or termination of employment and referral for prosecution.

Who It Affects
Students in grades 6-12 in Alabama public schools who will receive the new fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness instruction.
Local education agencies (LEAs) and school staff who must implement and enforce the instructional program and standards of conduct.
External providers such as colleges/universities, libraries, community service organizations, religious organizations, local public health agencies, and mental health professionals who may deliver the instruction.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 16-40A-3 to require minimum drug/alcohol education standards and adds mandatory fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness instruction.
Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, LEAs must annually provide instruction on fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness to grades 6-12, similar in integration to other drug and alcohol education.
Required content includes: (a) prevention of fentanyl abuse, (b) awareness of local resources and how to access them, (c) health education about substance use.
Instruction may be delivered by specified entities (universities, libraries, community organizations, religious organizations, local health agencies, mental health professionals, or LEA staff).
A clear statement of sanctions for violations of the standards of conduct, including expulsion or termination and referral for prosecution, must be provided.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Education