Pupil instruction: excessive alcohol use.

Existing law prescribes required courses of study in grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law requires instruction upon the nature of alcohol, narcotics, restricted dangerous drugs, and other dangerous substances to be included in the curriculum of all elementary and secondary schools, and instruction on the effects of those substances upon prenatal development to be included in the curriculum of all secondary schools, as provided. Existing law requires the governing board of the school district to adopt regulations specifying the grade or grades and the course or courses in which that instruction shall be included, as provided. This bill would require the above-described instruction on the nature and effects of alcohol to include information about excessive alcohol use and the short-term and long-term health risks of excessive alcohol use. The bill would require this instruction to include information about excessive drinking, the immediate effects of alcohol that increase the risks of harmful health conditions, and how excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems, including alcohol-related deaths and mental health problems. By imposing obligations on local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.