Section 4. Section 1547 of the act, added July 10, 1986 (P.L.1270, No.117), is amended to read:
Section 1547. Alcohol [and], Chemical and Tobacco Abuse Program.--(a) Beginning with school year [1987-1988] 1991-1992 and each year thereafter, each public school student shall receive mandatory instruction in alcohol [and], chemical and tobacco abuse in every year in every grade from kindergarten through grade twelve. The instruction shall be integrated within the health course of study required in accordance with the State Board of Education regulations. In grades where health is offered, instruction may also be integrated into other appropriate courses of study. In grades where health is not offered, instruction shall be integrated into an appropriate curriculum requirement as listed in 22 Pa. Code § 5.4(b).
(1) This instruction:
(i) Shall be age appropriate.
(ii) Shall be sequential in method of study.
(iii) Shall discourage the use of alcohol, tobacco and controlled substances.
(iv) Shall communicate that the use of illicit drugs and the improper use of legally obtained drugs is wrong.
(2) School districts may utilize any appropriate public or private materials, personnel and other resources in developing and implementing this program of instruction. The Department of Health, Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs, shall make available information about appropriate curriculum materials upon request of a school district. In developing its alcohol [and], chemical and tobacco abuse instructional program, each school district shall consult with the single county authority designated by the Department of Health to provide drug and alcohol services in the school district's area.
(b) Each school district is hereby authorized to develop and offer programs relating to alcohol [and], chemical and tobacco abuse for parents of students enrolled in the public schools. If a school district does develop such programs, they shall be developed in consultation with the single county authority designated by the Department of Health to provide drug and alcohol services in the school district's area. Such programs shall be offered at no cost to parents.
(c) The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Health, shall develop curriculum guidelines for instruction on alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse and the laws governing their use and misuse. These guidelines shall encourage the inclusion of the following elements where appropriate in the instruction:
(1) Detailed factual information regarding the physiological, psychological, sociological and legal aspects of substance abuse.
(2) Detailed information regarding the availability of help and assistance for students and their families with alcohol, chemical and tobacco dependency problems.
(3) The goals of quality education as set forth in 22 Pa. Code § 5.13(f).
(4) Skills needed to evaluate advertisements for and media portrayals of alcohol, chemical and tobacco products.
(5) Detailed instruction on the need for and the role of lawful authority and law-abiding behavior, including interaction with members of the legal and justice community.
(d) Beginning with the 1991-1992 school year and each year thereafter, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Health, shall make available, to all school districts and intermediate units, in-service training programs based upon the instruction requirements established in subsection (a) and the curriculum guidelines established in subsection (c). The programs shall provide preparation for the teaching of mandated instruction in alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse. The in-service programs may utilize the single county authorities designated by the Department of Health or such other institutions, agencies or persons as the Secretary of Education deems appropriate.
(e) Beginning with the 1991-1992 school year, each school district shall provide, as part of its in-service training, programs on alcohol, drugs, tobacco and dangerous controlled substances for all instructors whose teaching responsibilities include courses of study in which mandated instruction concerning alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse is integrated. To comply with this requirement, a school district may utilize the programs made available by the Department of Education or use other alternative programs.
(f) The governing board of each intermediate unit in which a nonpublic school is located shall have the authority and the duty to loan to all students attending nonpublic schools within the intermediate unit all educational materials developed by either the Department of Education or the Department of Health, pursuant to this act for the instruction of public school students on the nature and effects of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and dangerous controlled substances. Local school boards need not expend funds which are not provided by either the Federal or State Government for drug education programs for the use or loan of these materials. A nonpublic school may utilize the in-service training programs made available by the Department of Education through the intermediate unit.
(g) On or before June 1, 1991, the Secretary of Education shall recommend to the General Assembly a plan to require and assist each school district to establish and maintain a program to provide appropriate counseling and support services to students who experience problems related to the use of drugs, alcohol and dangerous controlled substances.
(h) On or before June 1, 1992, the Secretary of Education shall report to the General Assembly concerning the 1991-1992 school year activities of the Department of Education pertaining to the provisions of this section and concerning proposed 1992-1993 school year activities of the Department of Education pertaining to this section.
(i) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this section.