TRENTON, N.J. – State Senator Holly Schepisi has called on Senate Education Committee Chairman Vin Gopal to bring “Max’s Law” (S-2818) to a vote, aiming to mandate school instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine.

“This legislation is an important step in the fight against the epidemic of fentanyl poisoning in New Jersey,” said Schepisi (R-39). “Far too many young Americans, like Max, have had their lives cut short due to fentanyl poisoning.”

Max’s Law is named in honor of Max Lenowitz, a Woodcliff Lake resident who died from fentanyl poisoning. The bill would require schools to include fentanyl and xylazine awareness in their health and physical education curriculum.

Patrice Lenowitz, Max’s mother, supports the measure, emphasizing the importance of education in preventing future deaths. “One pill killed our son,” she said. “Max’s Law delivers lifesaving education in the classroom to keep children and families informed and alive.”

New Jersey would join states like California, Illinois, Mississippi, Oregon, and Texas in mandating similar education. The bill outlines specific instruction on recognizing symptoms, responding to overdoses, and understanding immunity laws related to drug emergencies.

Schepisi has been a strong advocate for fentanyl awareness. Last year, Governor Phil Murphy signed her resolution designating July 14 as “Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day,” in honor of Max Lenowitz’s birthday. She also sponsors legislation to regulate mental health treatment facilities and improve access to addiction services.

The push for Max’s Law comes amid a rising fentanyl crisis, with advocates urging immediate legislative action.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.