FINAL BILL REPORT
2SHB 2112
C 211 L 24
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning opioid and fentanyl prevention education and awareness at institutions of higher education.
Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Nance, Leavitt, Simmons, Reed, Ormsby, Callan, Rule, Orwall, Paul, Timmons, Lekanoff, Riccelli, Wylie, Reeves, Shavers, Pollet, Kloba and Davis).
House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
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.

Washington's Good Samaritan Law limits liability for a person who renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency or who participates in transporting an injured person from the scene, without compensation or the expectation of compensation. ?Those who render such care during the course of their regular employment and who receive compensation are exempt from the Good Samaritan Law.?

Summary:

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, must include information on the Good Samaritan Law, 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.

For the purpose of assisting a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose, an institution may obtain and maintain opioid overdose reversal medication through a standing order prescribed and dispensed in accordance with an existing standing order.

Votes on Final Passage:
Final Passage Votes
House 94 3
Senate 49 0
Effective:

June 6, 2024