Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee
HB 2112
Brief Description: Concerning opioid and fentanyl prevention education and awareness at institutions of higher education.
Sponsors: Representatives Nance, Leavitt, Simmons, Reed, Ormsby, Callan, Rule, Orwall, Paul, Timmons, Lekanoff, Riccelli, Wylie, Reeves, Shavers, Pollet, Kloba and Davis.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires public and private institutions of higher education to provide opioid and fentanyl prevention education and awareness to all students.
  • Requires public and private institutions of higher education to make naloxone and fentanyl strips available to students on campus.
  • Requires public and private institutions of higher education to provide education and training on administering naloxone to staff working in residence halls.
Hearing Date: 1/16/24
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

Opioids are a class of drugs that include heroine, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine.  Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid.  Pharmaceutical fentanyl is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic and anesthetic. 

Fentanyl can also be illegally made and distributed.  It can be made in both a liquid and powder formula and can be mixed with other drugs.  Fentanyl is not detectable through sight, taste, smell, or touch.  However, fentanyl can be detected through the use of fentanyl test strips, which are small strips of paper that can detect fentanyl in different kind of drugs when dissolved in water.

Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.  It works by binding to opioid receptors in the body and can reverse and block the effects of opioids.
Summary of Bill:

Each public and private institution of higher education must provide opioid and fentanyl prevention education and awareness information to all students.  Education may be offered in person or electronically, and must be posted on each institution's public website.

Naloxone and fentanyl strips must be made available to students on campus in various accessible locations such as student wellness centers, student union buildings, and student housing.

Institutions must provide education and training on administering naloxone to staff working in residence halls.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 11, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.