HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESB 5906
As Reported by House Committee On:
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to implementing a statewide drug overdose prevention and education campaign.
Brief Description: Implementing a statewide drug overdose prevention and education campaign.
Sponsors: Senators Wilson, L., Dozier, Gildon, Holy, Mullet, Torres, Warnick and Wilson, J..
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Appropriations: 2/23/24, 2/26/24 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill
(As Amended by Committee)
  • Requires the Department of Health to develop and maintain a drug overdose prevention campaign.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by 29 members:Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Bergquist, Vice Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Corry, Ranking Minority Member; Chambers, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Connors, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Couture, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Berg, Callan, Chopp, Davis, Fitzgibbon, Harris, Lekanoff, Pollet, Riccelli, Rude, Ryu, Sandlin, Schmick, Senn, Simmons, Slatter, Springer, Stokesbary, Stonier, Tharinger and Wilcox.
Staff: Lily Smith (786-7175).
Background:

The Department of Health (DOH) provides services to promote and protect public health in Washington.  The DOH works with local health jurisdictions, tribal partners, and state healthcare systems to provide technical assistance and strategic planning related to public health.
Summary of Amended Bill:

The DOH must develop, implement, and maintain a drug overdose prevention campaign, which must include information on dangers and harms related to drug use and provide outreach to youth and adults.  In consultation with the Health Care Authority (HCA), the campaign may include additional information on addiction and overdose prevention, resources for treatment, and immunity for those seeking medical assistance.  The 2024 and 2025 campaigns must include specific information regarding dangers associated with synthetic opioids.

 

Beginning June 30, 2025, the DOH must submit an annual report to the Legislature with information on the content and distribution of the campaign.
Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Bill:

The amended bill makes the following changes:

  • the DOH must consult with the HCA on possible additional messaging;
  • the 2024 and 2025 campaigns must include specific information regarding dangers associated with synthetic opioids;
  • the report must be submitted electronically;
  • references to "education" are replaced with "awareness" and a reference to "drug addiction" is replaced with "substance use disorder;" and
  • a null and void clause is added, making the bill null and void unless funded in the budget.

 

The amended bill removes the following:

  • the condition that the requirements are subject to the availability of amounts appropriated;
  • the specification that the campaign be ongoing;
  • the requirement for DOH to conduct a feasibility study;
  • the intent section; and
  • the effective date section.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed. ?However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) It is important that the messaging in the information campaign be done correctly and not just scare people by talking about harms and consequences.  The DOH should be given broad authority to determine the appropriate messaging. 

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Scott Waller, Washington Association for Substance Misuse and Violence Prevention.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.