AK HB174

Alaska's prescription opioid overdose death rate was more than double the national rate in 2012, and heroin-associated overdose deaths more than quadrupled between 2009 and 2015.

Governor issued a declaration of disaster emergency on February 14, 2017, authorizing the commissioner of health and social services and state medical officer to coordinate overdose response efforts.

The declaration authorized establishment of a statewide overdose response program and medical standing order allowing local programs, health care officials, first responders, and the general public to dispense and administer opioid overdose drugs.

Extends the governor's disaster emergency declaration from February 14, 2017, to February 14, 2018, as disaster declarations cannot remain in effect longer than 30 days without legislative extension.

Act is retroactive to March 15, 2017, and takes effect immediately.