State department outlines required school vaping policy, curriculum and form under new law

Department staff told the State Board of Education that a new state law requires local school boards to adopt anti‑vaping policies and that the department must issue a model policy, a class/curriculum and a form for use by districts.

Under the statutory outline the department presented, local boards must have an anti‑vaping policy in place by the start of the school year (the department cited a September deadline). The model policy the department developed includes a requirement that students who are cited for a second vaping offense must complete an anti‑vaping instructional program; the first offense prompts parental notification. The department has also drafted a model form to document the process.

Board members asked whether the anti‑vaping requirement could simply be folded into existing drug, alcohol and smoking discipline policies. The department responded that the statute specifically requires a model policy, a class, and a form, and that while local boards may modify the department’s model, they must adopt a policy meeting the statutory requirements. The department emphasized that local boards are not required to adopt the department’s exact model policy but they must have a policy consistent with the law.

The transcript records discussion about related concerns including the availability of THC‑laced edible products and hallucinogenic candies (referred to as “gummies”) and whether the department should take a broader, proactive approach on drug exposures in schools. Several board members urged a broader anti‑drug awareness approach and suggested the board consider a state‑level resolution directing districts to review or strengthen drug‑prevention policies; staff said they would research options and return with proposals.

Representative Barbara Drummond was named in the discussion as the legislator who had pursued an anti‑vaping law in prior sessions. The department indicated it will present the model policy, form and curriculum to the board for action and distribute them to districts so schools can meet the statutory deadline.