SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 3909

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 8, 2026

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3909 (1R).

      As amended, this bill, which is to be known as the “Illicit Opioid Supply Substances Poisoning Awareness Act,” requires school districts to provide instruction to students in grades six through 12 on the dangers of substances that are the most prevalent or emerging in the illicit opioid supply in New Jersey as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

      Under the bill, the instruction is required to include information on: (1) illicit opioid substance abuse prevention; (2) illicit opioid substance poisoning awareness; (3) the dangers of synthetic opioids, common non-opioids added to the opioid supply as adulterants, and counterfeit drugs; (4) recognizing the symptoms of opioid poisoning; (5) how to respond to an opioid poisoning emergency; and (6) laws that provide immunity or other protections for persons who administer opioid antidotes, such as naloxone, or who seek medical treatment for drug or alcohol poisoning or overdoses for themselves or others. Additionally, the bill requires a school district to provide age-appropriate information on where to access opioid antidotes, including naloxone, on school premises and in the community to students in a manner to be determined by the district.

      The bill also requires the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with existing age-appropriate resources compiled by the Commissioner of Health that address the requirements established under the bill. The information is required to utilize information and resources provided by: (1) the National Institutes of Health; (2) the United States Department of Health and Human Services; (3) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (4) the New Jersey Department of Human Services; or (5) any State, county, or municipal department or agency.

      The bill requires the Department of Education to post and maintain on its Internet website: (1) information provided to school districts for instruction on the dangers of substances in the illicit opioid supply; (2) informational materials containing awareness and safety information for school staff, students, and parents, on opioid poisoning prevention; (3) information on outreach organizations with resources concerning opioid awareness and opioid poisoning prevention; (4) preventative mental health resources available from applicable federal, state, county, or municipal departments and agencies; and (5) information connecting students and parents to resources, including resources on locations in which students and parents can obtain naloxone in their schools and communities.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 3909 (1R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 2818 (1R), which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

· require a school district to provide age-appropriate information on where to access opioid antidotes on school premises and in the community to students in a manner to be determined by the district;

· require the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with existing age-appropriate resources compiled by the Commissioner of Health that address the requirements of the bill; and

· require that the State Board of Education review and update the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill has not been certified as requiring a fiscal note.