HB 24-1003

House Bill 24-1003, which has been signed into law and will take effect on August 7, 2024, allows schools in Colorado to keep supplies of opiate antidotes (like Narcan) and drug detection kits. This means that schools can train staff to use these tools to help students who might be experiencing an overdose or need testing for drugs. The law also protects school employees from legal trouble if they use these supplies properly while on duty, whether in classrooms, buses, or at school events. Overall, this bill aims to enhance safety measures and provide immediate medical assistance in emergency situations involving opioids.

Official Summary

Under current law, a school district, the state charter school institute, or the governing board of a nonpublic school may adopt a policy for a school to maintain a supply of and distribute opiate antagonists. The act allows the adoption of a similar policy for maintaining a supply of opiate antagonists on school buses and extends existing civil and criminal immunity to school bus operators and other employees present on buses if they furnish or administer an opiate antagonist in good faith, in addition to other requirements. Additionally, the act allows an adopted policy to allow an employee or agent of the school to furnish an opiate antagonist to any individual, including a student, but only if the student has received school-sponsored training. Under current law, a school district, the state charter school institute, or the governing board of a nonpublic school may adopt a policy for a school to maintain a supply of and distribute non-laboratory synthetic opiate detection tests. The act allows the adoption of a similar policy for non-laboratory additive detection tests and extends existing civil immunity provisions to include non-laboratory additive detection tests. The act requires a school, school district, or the state charter school institute to not prohibit a student of the school district or institute charter school to possess or administer on school grounds, on a school bus, or at any school-sponsored event an opiate antagonist and possess a non-laboratory synthetic opiate detection test or a non-laboratory additive detection test. APPROVED by Governor April 22, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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