Black Voice News: New California Laws Improve Health Care Access and Address Opioid Crisis

Authored by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), Senate Bill 10 requires local education agencies in California to include protocols for responding to student opioid overdoses in their mandatory school safety plans. The bill, called “Melanie’s Law,” is named after a 15-year-old who died as a result of a fentanyl overdose in her high school bathroom.

“SB 10 was our top priority because fentanyl has left a trail of devastation across California, and our bill establishes a series of concrete solutions to protect young people,” said Senator Cortese in a press release last October. 

Melanie’s law also requires the California Department of Education to distribute informational materials containing awareness and safety advice regarding opioids.

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