SB 25-164

Senate Bill 25-164, which has been signed into law in Colorado, aims to address the youth opioid epidemic by making it easier for schools to stock and distribute opioid antagonists (like Narcan) without requiring specific training for school staff. The bill allows schools to keep these life-saving drugs in defibrillator cabinets or on buses, and permits staff to give them out even if a student hasn't been trained, as long as the staff member believes the student can help someone experiencing an overdose. It also requires the state board of health to create guidelines for who can receive these medications from prescribers and mandates regular reports on youth overdose prevention efforts. This bill affects schools, students, and healthcare providers in Colorado by streamlining access to opioid antagonists and enhancing oversight through advisory council presentations and departmental reporting. Since it has been signed into law, the provisions are now enforceable, meaning schools can start implementing these changes immediately to better protect their communities from opioid-related overdoses.

Official Summary

The act requires the state board of health (board) to allow the Colorado youth advisory council (council) to present to the board twice a year on issues regarding the youth opioid epidemic and other health issues. The act also allows the council to consult the prevention services division within the department of public health and environment during the stakeholding process for rule-making regarding opioid antagonists. Under current law, a school district, the state charter school institute, or a governing board of a nonpublic school may adopt and implement a policy that allows: A school to acquire and maintain a stock supply of opioid antagonists on school grounds or on a school bus; A school employee or agent who has received relevant training to administer an opioid antagonist to a person who is at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose; and A school employee or agent to furnish an opioid antagonist to any individual, including a student, if the student has received relevant training. The act: Permits a school to maintain an opioid antagonist in an automated external defibrillator or defibrillator cabinet in the school or on a school bus; Repeals the requirement that a school employee or agent must receive training prior to administering an opioid antagonist; and Creates an exception that a school employee or agent may furnish an opioid antagonist to a student who has not received relevant training if the employee or agent believes that the student is in a position to assist an individual who is suffering from an opioid-related drug overdose event or who is at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose event. Current law provides a specific list of eligible entities that a prescriber may prescribe or dispense an opioid antagonist to. The act eliminates the specific list and instead requires the state board of health to establish a list of eligible entities that a prescriber may prescribe or dispense an opioid antagonist to. The act permits a standing order allowing all eligible entities to distribute opioid antagonists. The act requires the department of public health and environment to furnish a report detailing youth overdose prevention during "SMART Act" hearings. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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