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HB 2980

Relating to the reporting of a controlled substance overdose occurring on the campus of a public school.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by James Talarico

Texas bill mandates public schools report controlled substance overdoses on campus through established protocols to track incidents and ensure coordinated emergency response.

Referred to Public Education
#crimes--drugs(i0185) #education--primary&secondary--general(i0230) #education--schooldistricts(i0220) #health&humanservicescommission(v0177) #minors--health&safety(i0533) #protectionofpersonalinformation(i0003)
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Bill Summary · HB 2980

Legislative bill overview

HB 2980 requires public schools in Texas to establish and implement protocols for reporting controlled substance overdoses that occur on school campuses. The bill mandates that schools document these incidents and report them through specified channels, likely to school administration, district officials, and potentially law enforcement or health authorities.

Why is this important

Overdose incidents on school campuses represent a serious public health crisis affecting minors and school safety. Standardized reporting requirements create accountability, enable data collection to identify trends, and ensure appropriate emergency response and follow-up care. This transparency can inform resource allocation for substance abuse prevention and intervention programs in schools.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Reporting requirements must balance public safety with student privacy rights and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protections, particularly for minors and their medical information
  • Liability and resource burden: Schools may face increased liability exposure, legal costs, and administrative burden from detailed overdose documentation and reporting
  • Law enforcement involvement ambiguity: Unclear whether reporting triggers mandatory law enforcement notification, raising concerns about criminalization of student health crises versus treatment-focused approaches
  • Definitional gaps: The bill may lack clarity on what constitutes an "overdose occurrence on campus" (suspected vs. confirmed, during school hours vs. events, etc.)

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

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