The necessity and consequences of the so-called Ritalin bill have been hotly debated. Nonetheless, HB202 passed both houses by healthy margins. It requires a final Senate vote before being sent on to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who vetoed a similar bill in 2005.

This year's bill was tailored to address his concerns and won more support in both legislative bodies. Enough House members supported the bill to override a veto but the initial Senate vote Wednesday fell just shy of the veto-proof 20 votes.

Huntsman hasn't yet decided whether he will sign the bill, spokesman Mike Mower said. However, "he appreciates the modifications made to the proposal this year to make certain the questions we had last year were addressed."

Rep. Mike Morley, R-Spanish Fork, has tried for several years to pass a bill that would bar school officials from pushing parents to medicate their children for behavioral conditions such as attention deficit disorder. Huntsman vetoed last year's bill out of concern it discouraged open communication between teachers and parents about children's behavior.

Advocates on both sides of the issue agree teachers are not qualified to diagnose disorders or recommend medications. But they are sharply divided about whether such a problem exists and whether Morley's bill would change how teachers talk with parents.

Supporters insist the bill won't chill discussions about kids' behavior and will simply prevent schools from pushing psychiatric medicines such as Ritalin. Opponents insist such scenarios don't occur because they already are banned by federal law and state rules. Yet they worry a state law will scare teachers out of acceptable discussions with parents.

"I ask that you not put a state gag rule on school personnel," said Tom Metcalf, a pediatrician who treats children with attention deficit disorder and one of two doctors invited to address the Senate on Wednesday. "Just as you resent intrusion by the federal government, so, too, do schools resent intrusion by the state in matters already well-regulated."

Wendell Gibby, a neuroradiologist, urged support of the bill and compared Ritalin to cocaine.

"We do not want to be putting children on these drugs on the recommendation of a teacher," he said.

Would prohibit school employees from recommending psychiatric medication for students.

Next step: Faces final Senate vote before going to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.