SACRAMENTO—A bill requiring school resource officers (SROs) to receive training in recognizing and responding to opioid overdoses overdose deaths cleared the legislature today.
The measure, introduced by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernadino), also directs the Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training to submit a report to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2031 detailing information on the distribution of naloxone and number of school incidents.
Ramos stated, “Overdose deaths among adolescents 10 to 19 years old have doubled since 2019 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In many cases, these fatalities are preventable if victims receive the proper treatment quickly. We must increase the opportunities to administer treatment on our school campuses and save lives. These tragic numbers also reflect how much more we all must do to help our young people receive the counseling and mental health services they need without stigma.” He added that among opioid‑related deaths, fentanyl was a major driver according to a 2023 report by the California Department of Public Health.
Ramos said that AB 1586 is a proactive approach by ensuring California school resource officers are equipped with the necessary tools and training to prevent overdoses on K-12 school campuses. “The report to the Legislature allows us to better understand what is happening on the ground at our schools when overdoses occur.”
AB 1586 is sponsored by the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives (CAADPE). "Young people are our future, and every single one of them deserves the chance to live it. CAADPE is grateful to Assemblymember Ramos for his continued commitment to student safety and for carrying this important legislation," said Robb Layne, Executive Director of CAADPE. "AB 1586 is about making sure the trained professionals we've already placed on campuses to protect our kids have the tools to act when seconds matter. No student should lose their life because help was right there but unprepared. CAADPE is committed to building a system where youth get a second chance and this bill is one critical piece of that work.”
Jadyn Voorwinden, a student at Vanden High School in Solano County, president of the school’s Friday Night Live Club, and administrative head of the campus End Overdose chapter, emphasized the importance of preparedness. “As students, we don't expect SROs to be doctors. But we do expect that if something life threatening happens, the adults around us are equipped to respond.” She noted, “We talk a lot in Friday Night Live and End Overdose about prevention, and that work is really important. But prevention also means being ready to act when students need help.”
AB 1586 is also supported by the Alameda County Office of Education, American Academy of Pediatrics, California, California Association of School Police Chiefs, California Academy of Preventive Medicine, Arcadia Police Officers' Association, Brea Police Association, Burbank Police Officers' Association, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance.
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Assemblymember James C. Ramos proudly represents the 45th Assembly district that includes the Cities of Fontana, Highland, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto and San Bernardino. He is the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature. Ramos chairs the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #6 on Public Safety and the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs.
