Subcommittee advances bill to require resident assistants be trained and carry opioid antagonist doses

A measure that would require resident assistants in public student housing to be trained to administer an opioid antagonist and to keep at least two unexpired doses on-hand was recommended for reporting by the Virginia Senate Higher Education Subcommittee after a voice vote.

Senator L. Bagby, the bill patron, told the subcommittee the legislation “requires each resident assistant in a student housing facility at a public institution of higher education [to] complete, prior to the commencement of his or her duties, training and authorization for administration of an opioid antagonist to any student, faculty, or staff member who is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a life‑threatening opioid overdose.” He added the bill “ensures that each resident…has access to at least 2 unexpired doses of the opioid antagonist at all times.”

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