SB18-040 Summary

• Authorizes clean syringe exchange programs to operate in hospitals and provides civil immunity for individuals who distribute clean syringes through approved programs.

• Establishes a supervised injection facility pilot program in Denver allowing the Denver Public Health Agency to seek approval from the Denver Board of Health to operate one facility, with civil and criminal immunity granted to participants and the facility.

• Allows school districts and nonpublic schools to adopt policies permitting employees and agents to obtain and administer opiate antagonists (naloxone) to students at risk of overdose, with required training on overdose recognition and emergency procedures.

• Expands authority for physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and pharmacists to prescribe or dispense opiate antagonists to school employees and agents, in addition to existing harm reduction and first responder provisions.

• Requires the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to study the efficacy of criminal penalties for synthetic opioid manufacturing and distribution, and examine how criminal penalties for opioid possession affect treatment access.