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Bill would require DOH to share near real‑time EMS overdose data with ODMAP
Summary
SB 5,933 would require the Department of Health to establish near real‑time data sharing from the EMS information system to the Overdose Detection Mapping Application (ODMAP) to support local spike alerts, harm reduction, and rapid outreach; public‑health, tribal and recovery advocates urged passage, while some asked for inclusion of poison‑center data.
Senate Bill 5,933, heard Jan. 16, would direct the Washington State Department of Health to establish a system by Jan. 1, 2027, for near real‑time sharing of EMS‑reported overdose and near‑fatal overdose data from the Washington Emergency Medical Services Information System (WEMSIS) to the Overdose Detection Mapping Application (ODMAP). The staff briefing described required data elements (date/time, incident location, whether overdose reversal medication was administered, and fatal vs. nonfatal status) and statutory limits on law‑enforcement uses and public‑records disclosure.
Supporters from community organizations and local health jurisdictions described ODMAP’s practical utility for identifying hotspots, issuing spike alerts and coordinating targeted harm‑reduction and outreach efforts. Alicia Stromi (Safe Yakima Valley) and Peter Maturko (Skagit County Public Health) said ODMAP implementation yielded more complete nonfatal overdose counts and allowed timely local responses. Elizabeth Powell (Northwest HIDTA) and Paul Dillon (Spokane City Council) also supported statewide access, noting statewide connection lowers costs and extends benefits to under‑resourced counties. Dr. Scott Phillips (Washington Poison Center) urged considering integration of poison‑center data to avoid blind spots and improve validation.
Panelists including recovery advocates and youth coalition members described how near real‑time data helps prioritize services (naloxone distribution, drug‑checking, outreach) when spikes occur. The staff briefing emphasized statutory protections forbidding law‑enforcement use of the shared data and prohibiting identification of individuals.
The hearing closed after testimony; no committee vote was recorded.
Provenance: topic introduced SEG 704; topic closed SEG 1239.
