NY A07470

Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services shall develop or utilize existing educational materials on misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, prescription medication, and other drugs for distribution to school districts and boards of cooperative educational services.

Educational materials must be age-appropriate for school-aged children and include information to help parents identify warning signs and address risks of substance abuse.

Each school district superintendent must designate an employee (preferably a school social worker, guidance counselor, or health practitioner) to provide information to students, parents, and staff about available substance use-related services.

Information provided to the designated employee is confidential, cannot be used in school disciplinary proceedings, and receives the same confidential protection as attorney-client communications under civil practice law.

The designated employee is not relieved of legal duties to report information (such as mandated reporting requirements) and must undergo any required training from the commissioner of education.