Ian Lovejoy, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, announced that a new law mandates schools to promptly inform parents about student overdoses, emphasizing parental rights and transparency. The statement was made on X.
“Several news laws went into effect on July 1,” said Ian Travis Lovejoy, Virginia State Representative for 22nd District. “One of them, HB 2774, requires schools to inform parents within 24 hours when there is a school-connected student overdose. Parents have every right to know what’s going on at their kids’ schools!”
Virginia’s HB 2774, which became law on July 1, 2024, requires immediate parental notification in cases of student drug overdoses and critical incidents in schools. This legislation is part of a series of measures aimed at enhancing school safety, crisis response, and parental rights in Virginia. It reflects a broader trend toward transparency and emergency preparedness in public education.
According to the Virginia Department of Education, more than 300 student drug overdoses have been reported in Virginia public schools over the past five years. There has been a notable rise in cases since 2021, prompting stronger statewide prevention efforts and parental notification laws.
The Education Commission of the States reports that at least 35 states have laws requiring parental notification for serious school incidents. However, Virginia’s recent law is among the most comprehensive, mandating immediate contact for overdose or emergency events compared to less stringent requirements in many other states.
Lovejoy is a Virginia legislator and former Manassas City Council member with a platform centered on school safety, parental involvement, and fiscal responsibility. He has prioritized transparency and empowering families in his legislative work.
