SB 18-040

Senate Bill 18-040, also known as the Substance Use Disorder Harm Reduction Act, aims to address opioid and substance use disorders in Colorado. It allows hospitals to serve as clean syringe exchange sites and provides legal protection for participants of these programs. The bill also establishes a pilot supervised injection facility in Denver with immunity from certain laws for those involved. Additionally, it permits schools to stock opiate antidotes and train staff to administer them during emergencies. This bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now active and enforceable.

Official Summary

Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Interim Study Committee. The bill: Specifies that hospitals may be used as clean syringe exchange sites ( section 1 ); Provides civil immunity for participants of a clean syringe exchange program ( section 1 ); Creates a supervised injection facility pilot program in the city and county of Denver and provides civil and criminal immunity for the approved supervised injection facility ( sections 2 through 4 ); Allows school districts and nonpublic schools to develop a policy by which schools are allowed to obtain a supply of opiate antagonists and school employees are trained to administer opiate antagonists to individuals at risk of experiencing a drug overdose ( sections 5 through 11 ); and Requires the commission on criminal and juvenile justice to study certain topics related to sentencing for opioid-related offenses ( section 12 ).(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) Read More