SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2818

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 12, 2025

     The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 2818 with committee amendments.

     As amended, this bill establishes the “Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act.”

     The amended bill requires school districts to provide instruction on fentanyl and xylazine poisoning awareness as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

     Under the amended bill, the instruction is required to include information on: (1) fentanyl and xylazine abuse prevention; (2) fentanyl and xylazine poisoning awareness; (3) the dangers of synthetic opioids, including fentanyl or any substituted derivative of fentanyl, xylazine, and counterfeit drugs; (4) recognizing the symptoms of fentanyl and xylazine poisoning; (5) how to respond to a fentanyl or xylazine poisoning emergency; and (6) laws that provide immunity or other protections for persons who report drug or alcohol use, or who seek medical treatment for drug or alcohol poisoning or overdoses for themselves or others.

     Additionally, the amended bill requires the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with age-appropriate resources designed to implement 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 Drug Enforcement Administration; (3) the United States Department of Health and Human Services; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; or (5) any State, county, or municipal department or agency.

     The amended bill requires the Department of Education to post and maintain on its Internet website: (1) information for instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine provided to school districts; (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; and (4) preventative mental health resources available from applicable federal, State, county, or municipal departments and agencies.

     Xylazine, commonly referred to as “tranq,” is a non-opioid sedatitve, or tranquilizer. While xylazine is not considered a controlled substance in the United States, it is not approved for use in people. The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration reported that xylazine and fentanyl mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning.

     It is the sponsor’s intent that this bill raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine and to honor the memory of Max Lenowitz of Woodcliff Lake, a beloved son, brother, and friend, and the thousands of other New Jersey residents who have lost their lives to fentanyl or xylazine poisoning.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

The committee amended the bill to:

· update the informal designation of the bill;

· remove the requirement that the required report to the Governor and Legislature include an evaluation of the effectiveness of the provisions of the bill in reducing or preventing the use of certain drugs;

· stipulate that the State Board of Education is to review the required instruction every 15 years to determine if the instruction remains necessary;

· clarify that the standards adopted by the State Board of Education shall occur concurrent with each update to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards; and

· update the synopsis.