Senate committee advances bill to add naloxone training and opioid education to high schools; amendment delays rollout until 2028 if funded

Senators Snyder and Pelton presented House Bill 1293 to the Senate Education Committee, asking the panel to approve a measure that would direct the State Board of Education to develop opioid education standards for grades 9–12 and expand access to opioid antagonists such as naloxone in schools.

Sponsor Senator Dylan Snyder told the committee the bill addresses rising youth overdose deaths and would require curriculum work through the State Board of Education and increased availability of naloxone. "What we're hoping to do with House Bill 1293, really two things: educational standards ... so that kids in ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade will ... learn about how to use naloxone and the signs and how to treat somebody," he said. Snyder cited statistics about increases in adolescent overdose deaths and the role of illicitly manufactured fentanyl in recent fatalities.

Mental Health Colorado's Wendy Buxton Andrade, a former rural county commissioner, testified in support and described difficulty getting rural school districts to carry opioid antagonists and provide education. "I strongly urge you to vote yes on House Bill 1293. It will save lives and make sure all school districts have educational standards to address this issue," she said.

Evie Hudak, representing Colorado PTA, also supported the bill and urged statewide access to naloxone and training for school staff and bus drivers. "PTA supports funding and implementation for evidence based comprehensive education on substance abuse," she told the committee, noting fentanyl's potency and the risk posed by counterfeit pills to young people.

The committee adopted amendment L005, offered to align the bill's implementation with the State Board of Education's regular review cycle if outside funding is not raised. Under the bill as amended, gifts, grants and donations must be secured by July 1, 2026, to enable an earlier implementation; L005 changed the earlier implementation target to July 1, 2028 if the funds are raised. If funds are not raised, the curriculum work would proceed under the board's regular schedule the next time comprehensive health standards are reviewed (the amendment references the board's normal review cycle in 2032).

Senator Kipp moved the bill to the Committee on Appropriations with a favorable recommendation as amended. The committee polled five members present; Senators Bridal, Kipp, Rich, Wallace and the chair recorded affirmative votes while Senators Lundin and Michaelson Janae were recorded as excused. The motion to advance HB1293 to appropriations carried 5–0.

Committee members and witnesses emphasized the bill's aim to destigmatize overdose response, teach recognition of overdose signs, and ensure equitable access to lifesaving medications across rural and urban districts. No specific gift, grant or donation sources were identified at the hearing.