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Panel lays over bill to require naloxone in college dorms; students and lawmakers cite lives saved
Summary
House File 8‑62 would require opioid antagonists (naloxone) in campus residence halls and direct the state health department to develop training materials; the committee laid the bill over for possible omnibus inclusion after student testimony and budget guidance from the Department of Health.
The House Health Finance and Policy Committee laid over House File 8‑62, which would require opioid antagonists to be present in on‑campus residence halls and direct the Minnesota Department of Health to compile campus training resources.
Representative Schumacher, sponsor of the bill, said the legislation would require dorms at colleges and universities to have naloxone on site and asked the department to create standardized training materials for campus use. A fiscal note presented to the committee projected a one‑time Department of Health cost of about $10,000 in 2026 and $2,500 in 2027 to prepare training videos and materials; the A2 amendment added tribal colleges to the bill’s coverage.
Emma Gabbard, student body president at Metropolitan State University, testified she had administered naloxone to a person suffering an overdose on public transit and credited the drug and immediate CPR with saving that person’s life. Student governments in the Minnesota State system backed the measure, Gabbard said, and she told the committee naloxone is critical because emergency medical services can be delayed, particularly in rural areas.
Committee members questioned whether naloxone is addictive and sought assurances that training should emphasize prevention and connect people to follow‑up care. A departmental representative and student advocates told the committee naloxone is not addictive and urged the committee to combine availability with education and wraparound services.
After discussion the committee laid the amended bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus package. Committee members said they expect the Department of Health to incorporate training content that addresses concerns about use, follow‑up care and prevention.
