Committee hears bill to place opioid-antagonist dispensers near AEDs at universities; no vote
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Summary
Lawmakers discussed HB 419, which would place naloxone (Narcan) dispensers next to defibrillators in University System of Georgia and technical college buildings with AEDs. Supporters described overdose risk, costs and voluntary community funding; the committee took no formal vote and will revisit the measure.
Chairman Hawkins, sponsor of HB 419, told the House committee that the bill would place opioid-antagonist dispensers in university and technical college buildings where automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are already located.
The measure, discussed during a committee work day, aims to expand a 2024 law (House Bill 1170) that placed naloxone in government buildings with AEDs by adding university system and technical college locations after the institutions studied how many buildings have AEDs. "We've worked with them," Hawkins said, and the bill, he added, is intended to be tightly written to limit liability for campuses.
Advocates told the committee the measure is supported by recovery organizations and families affected by overdose. Jeff Breedlove, of the Georgia Council for Recovery, described his experience in long-term recovery and urged lawmakers to make opioid antagonists available where students will feel safe getting them. "We need Narcan and opioid antagonist available where students will feel safe going to get them," Breedlove said.
Committee members questioned funding, liability and logistics. Representative Glaze asked whether funding parity might leave some communities without coverage; Hawkins replied that the bill makes funding a local choice and that the community would need to find funding for dispensers if they want them. Representative Barrett Carter asked about cost; Hawkins said a two-dose box is about $42 and that institutions typically keep two boxes in a dispenser.
The bill includes language intended to limit civil or professional liability for campus personnel and specifies that universities and technical colleges would not be liable for an emptied dispenser; Hawkins said the provision was included to address university concerns. Supporters also said manufacturers are working on longer-lasting opioid antagonists because fentanyl overdoses sometimes require multiple doses.
No motion or vote was recorded on HB 419; the committee heard testimony and discussion and did not take formal action. Committee leaders said they would continue to work with the sponsor and stakeholders and may revisit the measure at a later meeting.
