HB2194 Summary

• Establishes a statewide drug overdose fatality review team within the Department of Health Services with representatives from nine state agencies and eleven appointed members including medical examiners, tribal representatives, health care professionals, and law enforcement.

• Authorizes the review team to develop data collection systems, conduct annual analyses of drug overdose fatalities, create investigation protocols, and assist in developing local drug overdose fatality review teams.

• Grants review teams access to medical, dental, mental health, and law enforcement records related to reviewed fatalities, with law enforcement able to withhold records in pending criminal cases and requires information production within five days.

• Establishes strict confidentiality protections for all review team information and records, prohibiting subpoena or use in civil or criminal proceedings, with violations classified as a class 2 misdemeanor.

• Sunsets the entire article on December 31, 2028, and declares the measure an emergency effective immediately.