(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), any principal or person designated by the principal who, in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment, has knowledge of or observes a pupil whom he or she knows, or reasonably suspects as evidenced by the pupil’s apparent intoxication, has consumed an alcoholic beverage or abused a controlled substance, as listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of the Health and Safety Code, may report the known or suspected instance of alcohol or controlled substance abuse to the parent or parents, or other person having legal custody, of the student.

(b) No principal or his or her designee who reports a known or suspected instance of alcohol or controlled substance abuse by a pupil to the parent or parents, or other person having legal custody, of the pupil shall be civilly or criminally liable, for any report or as a result of any report, unless it can be proven that a false report was made and the principal or his or her designee knew that the report was false or was made with reckless disregard for the truth or falsity of the report. Any principal or his or her designee who makes a report known to be false or with reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the report is liable for any damages caused.

(c) No principal or person designated by the principal shall report a known or suspected instance of alcohol or controlled substance abuse by a pupil to the parent or parents, or other person having legal custody, of the pupil if the report would require the disclosure of confidential information in violation of Section 49602 or 72621.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1168, Sec. 29. Effective September 30, 2002.)