WeVote
Log In

Bill

CA

Bill

S 2818

"Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act"; requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of fentanyl and xylazine.*

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carmen Amato and 15 co-sponsors

Requires NJ districts to add grades 6-12 instruction on fentanyl/xylazine risks, signs, emergency response, and reporting protections; DOE provides resources; report to state.

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
#schboards
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2818

Summary of S. 2818 — Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act

Overview

S. 2818, known as the "Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act" (also referred to as Max’s Law), would require New Jersey school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine in grades 6–12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The bill aims to raise awareness, prevent abuse, and improve emergency response related to fentanyl, xylazine, and related synthetic opioids.

Status and timing
- Introduced: September 16, 2025
- As amended, the bill progressed through the Senate Education Committee and was reported with amendments.
- Initial status indicated: referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee (per the provided information).
- Effective date: immediately, with first applicability to the first full school year following enactment.

Key Provisions

Curriculum requirements

  • School districts must include instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine in an appropriate place within grades 6–12.
  • Required instructional content (minimum): 1) Fentanyl and xylazine abuse prevention; 2) Fentanyl and xylazine poisoning awareness; 3) Dangers of synthetic opioids (including fentanyl derivatives), xylazine, and counterfeit drugs; 4) Recognizing signs of fentanyl and xylazine poisoning; 5) How to respond to a poisoning emergency; 6) Laws providing immunity or protections for individuals who report drug/alcohol use or seek medical treatment for poisoning/overdoses.

Resources and guidance

  • The Commissioner of Education must provide age-appropriate resources to districts to implement the requirements, drawing on information from:
    • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
    • U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
    • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • State, county, or municipal agencies as applicable

State Department and web resources

  • The Department of Education must post and maintain on its website:
    • Information for instruction on fentanyl/xylazine dangers provided to districts
    • Materials on opioid poisoning prevention for staff, students, and parents
    • Information on outreach organizations with opioid awareness/prevention resources
    • Preventative mental health resources from federal, state, county, or municipal sources

Standards and review

  • The State Board of Education must review and update the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education to ensure the instruction is incorporated for grades 6–12.
  • Committee amendments clarify that standards adoption aligns with updates to the NJ Student Learning Standards.
  • The formal designation of the bill was updated in amendments.

Reporting

  • The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with local districts and the Commissioner of Health, must annually report to the Governor and Legislature on implementation.
  • The report would include an evaluation of the curriculum’s effectiveness in reducing or preventing fentanyl/xylazine use or poisoning among youth and recommendations for improvement. (Note: Committee amendments removed the requirement that the report include an evaluative measure of overall effectiveness; see amendments section for precise language.)

Term and locality

  • The act emphasizes local district implementation within the state’s health and physical education framework.
  • The sponsor’s intent emphasizes awareness-raising and recognition of fentanyl/xylazine poisoning risks, including public acknowledgment of victims.

Background and Context

  • Xylazine (often called “tranq”) is a non-opioid sedative not approved for human use; its combination with fentanyl increases the risk of fatal poisoning.
  • The bill seeks to provide educational resources and strengthen community awareness and prevention efforts in schools.

Impact and Stakeholders

  • Primary affected: School districts (grades 6–12 curriculum integration) and the New Jersey Department of Education.
  • Secondary affected: Students, teachers, school staff, parents, and local health/public safety agencies through referenced resources and outreach.

Related Measures

  • Companion bills: HR 5298 (federal/house companion) and A 3909 (state companion) exist to parallel this initiative.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.