House unanimously approves bill allowing broader naloxone use and civil immunity in overdose emergencies

The House passed first substitute House Bill 119 to expand access to naloxone (brand name Narcan) and provide legal protections for those who administer it in overdose situations.

Representative Moss, sponsor of the bill, described HB 119 as a companion to a previously passed Good Samaritan measure and said the substitute clarifies language requested by the Utah Medical Association. The bill would permit administration of naloxone by family members, friends, police officers and EMTs who currently are not authorized, and it establishes immunity for "good faith" administration of opioid antagonists. Representative Moss said the nasal-spray form of naloxone makes lay administration feasible and emphasized the drug's effectiveness when given in time.

Moss cited state overdose statistics during the presentation, saying roughly "502 Utahns died last year of drug overdoses" and that 52% of deaths involved prescription opioids. He argued expanded naloxone access can save lives and said medical stakeholders including the Utah Medical Association, some law-enforcement officials and advocacy groups supported the bill. The substitute additionally makes explicit that physicians who provide naloxone to someone other than a patient would receive immunity and requires administrators to advise recipients to seek medical evaluation after administration.

Supporters told the House the measure is a life-saving public-health tool; the first substitute passed on a recorded vote of 72-0 and will be transmitted to the Senate.