SACRAMENTO – (INT) – California students will no longer be suspended from school for voluntarily disclosing their substance abuse. Governor Newsom has signed a measure authored by Highland Assemblyman James Ramos.

Ramos said he was troubled by increasing numbers of students using alcohol, cold and cough medicine and prescription pain medications to get high.

Ramos also observed that:
• More than 59 percent of drug-related suspensions are of boys,
• More than 83 percent are of socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and
83 percent are of youth of color

Assemblyman Ramos says his bill will “allow a student to come forward without fear of suspension ensuring a proactive approach to those struggling with addiction.”

Story Date: December 5, 2024