One final legislative hurdle remains for a bill allowing schools access to opioid antagonists.

 

House Health and Human Services committee members passed Senate Bill 84, which permits a school district to possess and, if needed, administer opioid antagonists, on a 12-0 vote.

 

SB 84 permits a school board to acquire opioid antagonists, as it would be directed in state law and administrative rule, make the medicine available to trained school personnel in the event it’s needed and grants immunity from civil liability to the districts and personnel whether or not they choose to participate in the program.

 

Department of Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Ryson said the bill would “give (schools) the right framework within to make this successful.”

 

“Preventing even one overdose death is worth it,” Sec. Malsam-Ryson testified.

 

SB 84 now heads to the House floor for review and potential amendment, as Rep. Tim Rounds suggested during the committee hearing that an emergency clause be considered for the bill, which would put the statute in place upon signature by Gov. Kristi Noem.

 

“I’d love to see this,” Rep. Rounds said of having the program in place prior to the next school year.

 

“I really believe that on the (House) floor we should put an emergency clause on it.”

 

As the bill stands now, the updated statute would not go into effect until July 1, 2019.

 

ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

 

For updates on the bill and other legislation throughout session, check the ASBSD Blog, Twitter feed, Facebook page and Bill Tracker.