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Senate committee backs bill to expand naloxone access in schools, add youth seat on board of health
Summary
Senate Bill 164, carried by Senator Winters and backed by students from the Colorado Youth Advisory Council, passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee after amendments, to allow broader naloxone access in schools and to adjust administration of the state naloxone fund.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 164 after amendments that sponsors said will increase access to opioid antagonists — such as naloxone — in schools and other community settings.
Senator Winter said the bill responds to rising overdose rates among young people and was drafted with input from students on the Colorado Youth Advisory Council and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The measure would make it easier for school employees and students to obtain and administer opioid antagonists without prior training when they are in a position to assist, and would change the state naloxone bulk fund governance so the State Board of Health may prioritize eligible entities and respond to overdose “hot spots.” The bill also includes mechanisms so students can have a voice in state deliberations.
Multiple students testified in support. McKenna James, chair of the Naloxone Distribution Committee for the Colorado Youth Advisory Council, said rural communities in her region sometimes lack timely ambulance response and urged placing naloxone in AED cabinets and creating standing orders to reduce delays in accessing the medication. Peter Hollywood, a high‑school junior who helped craft the policy, described rules at his school that were changed because of overdose risk and said “minutes matter.” Other witnesses — including medical and public‑health advocates and disability‑rights advocates — described naloxone as safe and life‑saving.
Sponsor amendments (L001, L002, L003) were adopted during the hearing. Committee roll call recorded an 8–0 favorable recommendation; the bill will move to the committee of the whole for further consideration.
Why it matters: Supporters said the bill will save lives by reducing obstacles for timely naloxone administration, particularly in rural communities where emergency response times may be long. The measure also aims to give the State Board of Health more flexibility in prioritizing distribution from the state naloxone fund.
What’s next: The bill was reported favorably to the committee of the whole and will be scheduled for floor consideration.
