SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5804
As Amended by House, February 27, 2024
Title: An act relating to opioid overdose reversal medication in public schools.
Brief Description: Concerning opioid overdose reversal medication in public schools.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by 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, 1/17/24 [DPS].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 2/1/24, 49-0.
Passed House: 2/27/24, 95-0.
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • Requires all school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools, 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 public schools and to adopt a related policy.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5804 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Nobles, Vice Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Hawkins, Ranking Member; Dozier, Hunt, McCune, Mullet and Pedersen.
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 First Substitute Bill:

All school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools must obtain and maintain at least one set of opioid overdose reversal medication doses in each of the public schools.  School districts must also adopt an opioid-related overdose policy by September 1, 2024.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
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 on Original Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. 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 2000 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.
EFFECT OF HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):
  • Encourages public schools to include opioid overdose reversal medication in each first aid kit and any coach or sports first aid kit so long as these kits are not accessible to people other than school personnel who have been designated to distribute or administer this medication. 
  • Encourages public schools to include at least one location of this medication on the school's emergency map.