What's happening
This bill requires all New York colleges to screen incoming students for alcohol and substance use, including illegal and prescription drugs.
Why it matters
Early identification of at-risk students. By screening all incoming college students for alcohol and substance use—including misuse of prescription drugs—colleges can identify students who may need support or intervention before substance use becomes a larger problem.
Standardization and evidence-based practice. The bill requires colleges to use screening tools that are already approved as effective by state health authorities, promoting consistency and reliance on scientifically validated methods across campuses.
Resource and program development support. Colleges will receive state-issued guidance and materials to help them build or strengthen drug prevention programs and intake assessments, potentially increasing the effectiveness and reach of campus health initiatives.
Broader public health implications. By mandating systematic screenings, the state aims to address rising concerns about opioid and other substance misuse among young adults, potentially reducing negative academic, health, and safety outcomes linked to substance abuse in higher education settings.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Screen All College Entrants
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
627
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring alcohol and substance use screening for all incoming college students
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6432-a to read as follows:
§ 6432-a. Alcohol and substance use screening. 1. Each college shall administer an alcohol and substance use screening or assessment to all incoming students.
2. The screening or assessment may be in person, online or written. This shall include the screening for illegal drugs and prescription medication for non-medical uses, including but not limited to heroin and other opioids.
3. Colleges may use evidence-based alcohol and substance use screening instruments already approved by the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services. The commissioner, in collaboration with the commissioner of health and the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services, shall develop guidance for colleges and provide resources and materials to assist in the development of a drug prevention program and alcohol and drug intake assessment.
§ 2. This act shall take effect the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04386-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring alcohol and substance use screening for all incoming college students
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill will require all incoming students to take an alcohol and substance use screening or assessment.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of this bill requires colleges to administer an alcohol and substance use screening or assessment to all incoming college students.
Section 2 enumerates the ways in which assessments can be administered and requires the screening of illegal drugs, including but not limited to, heroin and other opioids.
Section 3 of this bill authorizes colleges to use evidence-based screen- ing instruments approved by OASAS. Section 3 also directs the commis- sioner of education, health and OASAS to collaborate to develop materi- als for a drug prevention program and an alcohol and drug intake assessment.
Justification
This legislation will promote college health and wellness by addressing the increasing prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse among young adults. By requiring assessments of students, colleges can begin to tackle the rampant heroin and opioid epidemic in New York. With this information, colleges will be enabled to make appropriate and targeted alcohol and drug prevention informational programs. These assessments will also allow colleges to evaluate and refer students who may need additional health services to local prevention and/or treatment programs.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: referred to higher education 01/04/17 REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION 01/03/18 REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
The first of July of the next succeeding date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.