Sec. 10-212b. Policies prohibiting the recommendation of psychotropic drugs by school personnel. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 10-212b. Policies prohibiting the recommendation of psychotropic drugs by school personnel. (a) For purposes of this section, (1) "psychotropic drugs" means prescription medications for behavioral or social-emotional concerns, such as attentional deficits, impulsivity, anxiety, depression and thought disorders, and includes, but is not limited to, stimulant medication and antidepressants, and (2) "school health or mental health personnel" means school nurses or nurse practitioners appointed pursuant to section 10-212, school medical advisors appointed pursuant to section 10-205, school psychologists, school social workers, school counselors and such other school personnel who have been identified as the person responsible for communication with a parent or guardian about a child's need for medical evaluation pursuant to a policy adopted by a local or regional board of education as required by subsection (b) of this section.

      (b) Each local and regional board of education shall adopt and implement policies prohibiting any school personnel from recommending the use of psychotropic drugs for any child. Such policies shall set forth procedures (1) for communication between school health or mental health personnel and other school personnel about a child who may require a recommendation for a medical evaluation, (2) establishing the method in which school health or mental health personnel communicate a recommendation to a parent or guardian that such child be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner, and (3) for obtaining proper consent from a parent or guardian of a child for the school health or mental health personnel to communicate about such child with a medical practitioner outside the school who is not a school employee. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit (A) school health or mental health personnel from recommending that a child be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner, (B) school personnel from consulting with such practitioner with the consent of the parents or guardian of such child, (C) the planning and placement team from recommending a medical evaluation as part of an initial evaluation or reevaluation, as needed to determine a child's (i) eligibility for special education and related services, or (ii) educational needs for an individualized education program.

      (P.A. 01-124, S. 1; P.A. 03-211, S. 8.)

      History: P.A. 03-211 added new Subsec. (a) defining "psychotropic drugs" and "school health or mental health personnel", designated existing provisions as Subsec. (b) and amended same to add procedures to be included in policies and provisions re planning and placement team, substitute "school health or mental health personnel" for "school medical staff" and make technical changes, effective July 1, 2003.