The Senate Behavioral Health Subcommittee on Health & Long Term Care held a public hearing on HB 1761, which would allow nurses to dispense opioid overdose reversal medication in the ER.
The bill passed the House 94-0, and would have to pass the Senate in order to go to the Governor’s office for a chance to become law.
HB 1761- 2021-22 Concerning ED opioid overdose reversal medication use
Bill Information
Bill Information Page (link)
emergency department. Original Bill (pdf)
Sponsors: Schmick, Bateman, Bronoske, Cody, Dufault, Jacobsen, Macri, Pollet, Donaghy, Graham, Davis, Chambers
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Status: In the House Jan 4 Prefiled for introduction.
In the Senate
Feb 16 Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care at 6:00 PM in anticipation of other legislative action.
Read the House Bill Analysis 2022
Read the House Bill Report
Read the Senate Bill Report (Orig.)
The bill analysis and bill report are prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.
Brief Summary of Bill
House
- Adds registered and licensed practical nurses to the types of health care providers who must dispense or distribute opioid overdose reversal medication in compliance with requirements for hospital emergency departments
Senate
- Allows a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse to dispense opioid overdose reversal medication in an emergency room instead of a practitioner to certain patients when required by law.
Opioid Overdose Reversal Medication
Opioid overdose reversal medication is a drug used to reverse an opioid overdose that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors. Common opioid overdose
reversal medications include Narcan, Naloxone, and Evzio.
Statewide Standing Order to Dispense Naloxone
The Washington State Department of Health has a standing order to dispense Naloxone, or Narcan. When used properly, this medication can reverse an opioid overdose. Some examples of opioids provided by the Department of Health are heroin, methadone, Oxycontin®, Vicodin®, and fentanyl.
Any Washington resident or organization may use the standing order as a prescription for naloxone. The statewide order may be taken to a pharmacy to get Narcan, instead of going to a health care provider to get a prescription.
The Department of Health suggests the following people should carry naloxone (Narcan):
- People who use drugs
- People who interact with those who use drugs (friends, family, and emergency personnel)
- Anyone taking opioid medication of a 50 MME or higher dosage per day. Consult your prescribing medical professional if you are uncertain.
- If you use drugs not purchased at a pharmacy or dispensary.
Available VideosLive video of legislative activity is available on TVW. Links listed for meetings in the future will be linked to live meetings. Video links take you off of the Auburn Examiner website to the TVW website.
Jan 10, 2022 House Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM
Jan 19, 2022 House Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM
Feb 15, 2022 Senate Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care at 8:00 AM
Feb 16, 2022 Senate Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care at 6:00 PMDid you miss our last legislative update? Check it out now
Unless otherwise noted, the above information was obtained from the official Washington State Legislative website. Future meetings are subject to change. Auburn representatives in bold.
Updated: 02/15/2022, 3:10 p.m. – information on statewide order added.
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