Ohio House permits schools to keep overdose-reversal drugs, sets policy requirements

The Ohio House on May 6 approved House Bill 57, a permissive measure that allows school districts to keep overdose-reversal drugs, such as Narcan, on campus and requires districts that choose to do so to adopt and publicize a policy. The bill passed 95-0 on third consideration.

"This bill is all about saving lives," Representative Jerrells said on the House floor, citing fentanyl contamination and the possibility that multiple doses of naloxone may be needed to reverse an overdose. "This bill is all about making sure that we have, our schools are equipped much like AEDs with Narcan."

Sponsor Representative Gerald Williams described the measure as low-cost and discretionary for districts. "If they choose to have overdose prevention drugs ... they should come up with a policy," Williams said. The policy may be written or virtual and should inform staff where the drug is stored and how to use it; the bill also allows donations of the medication to districts.

Supporters emphasized the measure is permissive, not mandatory, and that the fiscal note shows minimal administrative cost. The House clerk recorded 95 affirmative votes and 0 negative votes; with the required majority met, the bill was passed and entitled for enactment.

Implementation will be at the local district level: districts that opt into storing overdose-reversal drugs must adopt a policy describing location and administration procedures and may accept donated doses.