(a)
Commencing with the 1991–92 fiscal year, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Governor’s Policy Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, shall conduct a biennial survey of drug and alcohol use among pupils enrolled in grades 7, 9, and 11. The survey shall assess all of the following:
(1)
The frequency and type of substance abuse.
(2)
The age of first use and intoxication.
(3)
Pertinent attitudes and experiences of pupils.
(4)
The experience of pupils with school-based drug and alcohol prevention programs.
(5)
As an optional component, the survey may examine the risk factors associated with school dropouts.
(b)
The biennial survey shall be based on a statewide sample of pupils enrolled in grades 7, 9, and 11 and shall be consistent with the surveys conducted by the office of the Attorney General in the 1985–86, 1987–88, and 1989–90 fiscal years.
(c)
The Attorney General shall release the findings of the survey on or before May of each even-numbered year and shall prepare and distribute a report on the survey to the Legislature, the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, law enforcement agencies, school districts, and interested members of the general public.
(d)
In conducting the survey, the Attorney General shall ensure that the confidentiality of participating school districts and pupils shall be maintained. Pupil questionnaires and answer sheets shall be exempt from the public disclosure requirements prescribed by Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(e)
Persons reporting data pursuant to the requirements of this article shall not be liable for damages in any action based upon the use or misuse of pupil surveys that are mailed or otherwise transmitted to the Attorney General, or his or her designee.
(f)
The requirements prescribed by this article shall continue to be funded with the existing resources of the Attorney General.