HB 24-1037: Substance Use Disorders Harm Reduction

• Expands opioid antagonist access by allowing expired opioid antagonists to be distributed by law enforcement, school personnel, health-care providers, and harm reduction organizations to save lives during overdose events.

• Provides broad legal immunity from civil and criminal liability for individuals and entities that furnish, distribute, or administer opioid antagonists in good faith.

• Permits syringe exchange programs to distribute additional harm reduction supplies including smoking materials and devices for testing controlled substances for dangerous adulterants.

• Excludes drug paraphernalia received from approved syringe exchange programs or harm reduction organizations from criminal possession charges.

• Allows multiple healthcare professionals (pharmacists, nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, and counselors) to prescribe and dispense opioid antagonists without establishment of duty or standard of care, while requiring pharmacists to offer antagonists to patients receiving opioid prescriptions annually.