Committee backs measure to require opioid antagonists in campus residence halls

Senate File 164, a bill to require opioid antagonists be available in campus residential facilities, was recommended to pass and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services after the Senate Higher Education Committee adopted two amendments.

The bill, introduced by Senator Weber, would require postsecondary institutions’ residential facilities to maintain at least two doses of an opioid antagonist and direct the commissioner of health to identify implementation resources, including at least one training video. Senator Weber also said the plan would ask institution governing boards (the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities board of trustees and the University of Minnesota board of regents) to adopt a model plan for use, storage and administration of the drug on system campuses.

Testifiers told the committee they supported the measure as a life‑saving step. Will Rops, whose brother Justin died of a fentanyl overdose, said: "Justin died of a fentanyl overdose at just 25 years old." He urged lawmakers to pass the bill to prevent other families’ tragedies. Emma Gabbard, student body president at Metro State University and representing Students United, described administering naloxone to a person on public transit and credited community naloxone distribution programs with saving lives.

Committee members asked about existing campus practices and data. Metro State’s student witness and author comments indicated some campuses already provide naloxone kits and house them in campus basic needs offices or vending machines, while other campuses rely on emergency services. Senator Umu Ruben asked for information about campuses that already stock naloxone and any data showing the effect of on‑site availability; witnesses pointed to state Department of Health data showing an 8 percent decrease in overdoses from 2022 to 2023 and to campus examples but did not provide a comprehensive list of campuses with stockpiles.

The committee adopted an A1 amendment (clean‑up language) and an oral amendment that replaced the word “naloxone” with a broader term, recorded in the bill text as “opiate antagonist.” Both amendments were adopted by voice vote. Chair Pate moved that the bill, as amended, be recommended to pass and referred to Health and Human Services; the motion carried by voice vote.

The bill requires administrative work by state health officials and campus governing boards to implement storage, training and administration protocols. Committee discussion noted the role of campus security and emergency services and urged timely access to antagonists where overdoses could occur in residence halls.

The bill now moves to the Health and Human Services Committee for further consideration.