‘Melanie’s Law’ takes aim at fentanyl crisis by having California schools create safety plans

by Toby Roca, Bay City News October 18, 2023October 16, 2023

Melanie Ramos was 15 when she accidentally overdosed on fentanyl and died in the bathroom of her high school in Hollywood in September 2022. "Melanie's Law," which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2023, establishes requirements for schools to provide education and resources to help prevent tragedies like the one that claimed Melanie's life. (Family photo via GoFundMe)

Middle and high school students across California will be protected by a new law requiring life-saving prevention and response resources for fentanyl overdoses under legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom announced Friday that he had signed Senate Bill 10 or Melanie’s Law, introduced by Sen. Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, which aims to prevent and respond to youth fentanyl overdoses through mandated school safety plans requiring prevention, response, training, education and awareness.

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