SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5804
As of January 11, 2024
Title: An act relating to opioid overdose reversal medication in high schools.
Brief Description: Concerning opioid overdose reversal medication in high schools.
Sponsors: Senators Kuderer, Wellman, Dhingra, Frame, Hasegawa, Hunt, Liias, Lovelett, Nguyen, Nobles, Stanford, Valdez and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/11/24.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires all school districts, not just those with 2000 or more students, to obtain and maintain at least one set of opioid overdose reversal medication doses in each of the high schools and to adopt a related policy.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background:

State law allows a high school to obtain and maintain opioid overdose reversal medication through a standing order prescribed and dispensed in accordance with certain requirements.  The following personnel may distribute or administer the school-owned opioid overdose reversal medication pursuant to a prescription or standing order:

  • a school nurse;
  • a health care professional or trained staff person located at a health care clinic on public school property or under contract with the school district; or
  • designated trained school personnel.

 

A school district with 2000 or more students must obtain and maintain at least one set of opioid overdose reversal medication doses in each of its high schools.  A school district that demonstrates a good faith effort to obtain the medication through a donation source, but is unable to do so, is exempt from this requirement.

 

In 2020, the Washington State School Directors' Association, in collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Health, developed a model policy and procedure regarding opioid-related overdose reversal with guidelines and training requirements.
Summary of Bill:

All school districts, not just those with 2000 or more students, must obtain and maintain at least one set of opioid overdose reversal medication doses in each of the high schools.  School districts must also adopt an opioid-related overdose policy.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 2, 2024.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  This state is in a drug crisis, especially with fentanyl, and schools are not immune to this crisis.  Deaths related to drug overdoses are raising and many involve fentanyl.  Teenagers encounter opioids everywhere including at school.  Narcan is needed in all schools not just those with more than 2,000 students.  Narcan is easy to use and works in minutes.  All students need to be protected and get a second chance at life.  This medication will bring peace of mind to families, staff, and students.  The cost for this medication is nominal.  
Persons Testifying:

PRO: Senator Patty Kuderer, Prime Sponsor; Rian Alam; Theodore Meek, Lake Washington High School; Olivia Milstein, Lake Washington High School; Joanna Lymberis, Lake Washington High School; Sophia Lymberis, Lake Washington High School; Caroline Callahan, Lake Washington High School; Natalie Gauthier, Lake Washington High School; Reese Nyquist, Lake Washington Highschool; Scott Waller, Washington Association for Substance misuse and Violence Prevention (WASAVP).
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.