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HB4655 • 2026
Expand the grade level for Laken’s Law
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Expand the grade level for Laken’s Law
To House Education
Introduced in House
To Education
Filed for introduction
Expand the grade level for Laken’s Law
HB 4655 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version House Bill 4655 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION FISCAL NOTE Introduced House Bill 4655 By Delegates Stephens, Pritt, Willis, Campbell, and Dittman [Introduced January 21, 2026; referred to the Committee on Education] A BILL to amend and reenact §18-34-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, relating to expanding Laken's Law to include grades 3 to 12 for fentanyl, heroin, and opioids awareness, prevention, and abuse instruction.` Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 34. Laken's Law § 18-34-1. Laken's Law. (a) The Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Education Act or "Laken’s Law" would help prevent overdose deaths in teens and young adults due to fentanyl and fentanyl components. This shall be accomplished through education of students in grades 6-12 3-12 in all public schools and be mandated annually using the following methods: (1) Students will shall be taught about fentanyl, heroin, and opioids awareness, prevention, and abuse; (2) Students will shall be instructed in the life-saving use of FDA-approved opioid reversal agents; (3) Students will shall be instructed on the prevention of the abuse of and addiction to fentanyl; (4) Students will shall be instructed on available state and community resources and organizations that work to prevent and reduce youth substance use; and (5) Students will shall receive health education covering the issues of substance abuse and youth substance abuse in particular. (b) This mandatory instruction will begin in the 2024-2025 school year. (c) The mandatory instructions for the expanded instruction including grades 3-5 shall begin in the 2026-2027 school year. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to expand "Laken’s Law" or the instruction about fentanyl, heroin, and opioids awareness, prevention to grades 3-12. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: