WASHINGTON STATE -- In a unanimous decision Tuesday night, the House propelled SB 5804 forward with a vote of 96-0, aiming to increase NARCAN accessibility across all school districts in the state.
Sen. Patty Kuderer, the primary sponsor of the bill, emphasized its significance, stating, "This bill expands access to over-the-counter opioid overdose treatment (NARCAN) in schools. The goal is to have these life-saving tools available for cases of both intentional and accidental exposure to opioids. We all wish we weren’t here as a nation, but we are. This bill is about saving lives."
The unanimous passage of SB 5804 through both chambers was facilitated by a group of students from Lake Washington High School, with Kuderer leading its legislative journey. The bill seeks to update existing law, ensuring the presence of NARCAN doses in every school statewide.
Expressing their confidence in the legislation, Lake Washington High School students, including Joanna Lymberis, Olivia Milstein, Sophia Lymberis, Theodore Meek, Reilly Jones, Petar Damjanovic, Kassie Montgomery, and Christina Minor, stressed its potential to save countless lives and create safer school environments.
They also acknowledged the ongoing opioid epidemic and urged further legislative action in the future.
Following amendments in the House, SB 5804 will return to the Senate for a concurrence vote.
