Called the "anti-Ritalin" bill, referring to the commonly prescribed drug used to help children with attention deficit disorder, HB42 would restrict what teachers can discuss with parents about how their child behaves in the classroom, thus robbing parents of a valuable third-party view for assessing their child's behavior.

The legislation prohibits teachers from recommending that students take any specific drug to alter behavior or even be evaluated for behavioral or medical problems. The bill's opponents, including the state Board of Education, rightly worry it would make teachers think twice about discussing any problems that might require treatment, fearing they might be breaking the law.

The legislation prohibits teachers from doing something - in this case "pushing" a certain drug - when there is no evidence of a teacher ever doing such a thing. In fact, the state school board already has a policy preventing teachers from recommending any specific treatment or drug.

The bill's proponents obviously feel drugs such as Ritalin, that are used to help learning-disabled students concentrate on school work, are overprescribed. In some cases they may be right.

But attention deficit disorder is as real as any other handicap, and it can be successfully treated with such drugs. When treatment is needed and drugs are appropriately prescribed, they can save a child from serious learning problems.

Teachers are in a unique position to see whether a child is able to concentrate on academic tasks in a classroom full of distractions. A parent may never see her child in such a situation and, without a teacher's help, would not know there might be a problem. Parents are still the ones deciding whether treatment is necessary.

A teacher's feedback can be vital in determining whether a child needs treatment for a learning disability, or for a physical ailment or a behavioral problem.

In hamstringing a teacher's ability to discuss such things with parents, HB42 does not address an existing problem but anticipates one that is unlikely to occur, given current school policies. It could mean some children who need a doctor's diagnosis and, possibly, treatment, will never be evaluated.

That is unfair to teachers, parents and, most of all, to the children who could be helped. This bill deserves a veto.