Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Overdose Response topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate approves bill to expand Naloxone access, permit bystander administration and provide immunity
Summary
The Utah Senate passed House Bill 119 to allow third-party prescribing and bystander administration of Naloxone (Narcan), provide civil immunity for good-faith administrators, and require prescriber/pharmacist education. Sponsors said the change aims to save lives amid rising overdose deaths.
The Utah Senate moved and passed House Bill 119, expanding access to the opioid antagonist naloxone (commonly sold as Narcan) so that nonmedical bystanders may administer it to overdose victims and prescribers may provide it to third parties such as family members.
Sponsor Senator Shiozawa told colleagues the bill "permits anyone to administer Narcan or Naloxone to an overdose victim, establishes immunity for the good faith of that person," and requires a prescriber or pharmacist to provide education when prescribing or supplying the drug.
Shiozawa said the measure responds to overdose statistics and limited availability of naloxone outside emergency responders. "Last year, over 500 Utahns died of drug overdoses," he said, adding most were accidental and occurred in private homes. He described naloxone as life-saving and pointed to national experience in expanded community availability.
Senator Henderson asked whether physicians would be reluctant to prescribe naloxone to third parties. Shiozawa and other supporters responded that part of the bill clarifies that third-party prescriptions are permissible and that education and awareness should reduce provider hesitancy. "A large part of that, sir Henderson, is probably due to lack of education and also due to fear of not being able to do it under the current laws," Shiozawa said.
Senator Christiansen, while expressing support, cautioned about potential unintended consequences, saying the drug "could present a false security" and warned of misuse risks. Shiozawa and other supporters emphasized naloxone's safety profile and the public-health benefit of saving lives while pairing access with education.
The Senate recorded the bill as having received 26 yays, 0 nays and 3 absent when read for third time; it was placed on the calendar and later passed by recorded tally (26–0–3 recorded for third reading). The bill now advances to the House for final consideration or enrollment as indicated by the clerk's action in session.
Supporters framed the bill as a narrow, practical step to reduce preventable overdose deaths by expanding who may legally give naloxone and by protecting those who act in good faith; critics urged careful implementation and public education as the policy is rolled out.
