Georgia SB 395: Education; the possession of opioid antagonists in schools; authorize

Bill Text

24 LC 33 9604
Senate Bill 395
By: Senators Dixon of the 45th, Watson of the 11th, Walker III of the 20th, Strickland of the
17th and Halpern of the 39th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia1
Annotated, relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to2
authorize the possession of opioid antagonists in schools; to define a term; to authorize3
schools to maintain a stock supply of opioid antagonists; to authorize trained school4
personnel to administer opioid antagonists and carry opioid antagonists on their person; to5
provide for immunity; to provide for activation of the emergency medical services system6
and notification of emergency contacts; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting7
laws; and for other purposes.8
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9
SECTION 1.10
Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,11
relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, is amended by adding a12
new Code section to read as follows:13
"20-2-776.5.14
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'opioid antagonist' means a drug that binds to15
opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effect of opioids acting on those receptors,16
including, but not limited to, naloxone, hydrochloride, or any other similarly acting drug17
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that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of an opioid18
related overdose.19
(b) No student, visitor, or school employee shall be prohibited from possessing an opioid20
antagonist on school property or at a school sponsored activity.21
(c) All local school systems or public schools, including charter schools, shall acquire and22
maintain a supply of opioid antagonists in any secure location where an individual may23
have an opioid overdose; provided, however, that, if there occurs a shortage of opioid24
antagonists, the local school systems or public schools, including charter schools, shall25
make a reasonable effort to maintain a supply of opioid antagonists. Any such supply shall26
be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.27
(d) Any school personnel may administer an opioid antagonist to any person who the28
school personnel believes in good faith to be experiencing an opioid overdose:29
(1) While in school;30
(2) While at a school sponsored activity;31
(3) While under the supervision of school personnel; or32
(4) Before or after normal school activities, such as while in before-school or33
after-school care on school operated property.34
(e) School personnel shall be authorized to carry an opioid antagonist on his or her person35
while in school, at a school sponsored activity, or on school operated property.36
(f) Any school personnel who in good faith administers or chooses not to administer an37
opioid antagonist pursuant to this Code section shall be immune from civil liability or38
professional discipline for any act or omission to act related to the administration of an39
opioid antagonist, except that such immunity shall not apply to an act of willful or wanton40
misconduct.41
(g) Upon the administration of any opioid antagonist pursuant to this Code section, the42
local school system or public school, including charter schools, shall immediately activate43
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the emergency medical services system and notify the student's parent, guardian, or44
emergency contact or notify such other individual's emergency contact, if known."45
SECTION 2.46
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.47
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