Denver, Colorado – Two bills aimed at helping students by preventing drug overdoses and expanding access to health care go into effect on Aug. 7.
HB24-1003, introduced by Rep. Barbara McLachlan and Sen. Mary Young, Sen. Daphna Michaelson Jennett and Sen. Cleve Simpson (R-Alamosa), would make opioid countermeasures and drug testing strips available on school buses and in school buildings. SB24-034, introduced by Sens. Janice Marchman and Chris Kolker, Rep. Mandy Lindsay and Rep. Lorena Garcia, would expand the existing School-Based Health Center grant program to include telehealth services and mobile health units.
“I am so proud to have worked closely with students at Durango and Animas High Schools to create this life-saving legislation.” “It’s a big step forward,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, a Durango Democrat. “Time and again, Colorado’s young people have seen their peers suffer from the current opioid crisis, which is why our legislation will provide increased training in obtaining and administering opioid antagonists. These students’ advocacy on this issue will have a significant impact across the state and will save countless lives, as they have seen firsthand the challenges their peers face.”
“Our young people are not immune to the harms of the opioid crisis that is affecting every corner of our state, and we must do more to protect them.” “It’s a big step forward,” said Sen. Daphna Michaelson Jennett, D-Commerce City. “This important bill, proposed by students directly affected by this terrible epidemic, will give schools more desperately needed tools to fight this crisis and ultimately save lives.”
“As a school psychologist, I know how serious and common overdoses are in schools, and this new law will make it easier for schools to prevent these overdoses from turning deadly.” “This is a big step forward for the state,” said Rep. Mary Young (D-Greeley). “Research shows that overdose education for students, teachers, staff and families leads to increased engagement in treatment, and this legislation empowers students, educators and other school personnel to know how to respond to an overdose. This student-initiated legislation provides schools with life-saving harm reduction tools to help reduce the number of student overdoses across Colorado.”
HB24-1003allows trained bus drivers and other bus employees to administer certain medications, including opioid antagonists such as naloxone, to students who have overdosed. The bill also allows school districts to stock opioid antagonists on school buses and allows trained students to possess and administer opioid antagonists on school grounds, on school buses, or at school-sponsored events. Additionally, HB24-1003 allows schools to obtain and stock test strips designed to detect the presence of additional harmful ingredients found in opioids, such as fentanyl.
“School-based health centers provide critical care where and when students need it.” “We’re not going to let it go,” said Sen. Janice Marchman, a Democrat from Loveland. “However, health care disparities remain, especially in rural school districts. This new law will allow health care providers to partner with school districts to use grant funding to assist with telehealth, mobile services and referrals to nearby services, reducing barriers to care by bringing primary, behavioral, oral and preventive health care directly to school communities.”
“The School-Based Health Center Grant Program will help provide quality health care services to the youth of our state and meet the needs of our students.” “This is a big step forward for the state,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay (D-Aurora). “Our new legislation expands this important program to include telehealth services, ensuring all students who seek care can receive it in a way that is convenient for them.”
“For many years, the state’s School-Based Health Center Grant Program has helped provide quality health care to students who need it most.” “It’s a big step forward,” said Democratic Sen. Chris Corker of Centennial. “Expanding this successful program to include services like telehealth will ensure that all students who seek care can receive it in a timely and convenient manner. I’m pleased we can go one step further to ensure all Colorado children have the support they need to thrive.”
“Expanding access to health care is especially important for students and young people.” “It’s a big step forward for the state,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Adams County.“This new legislation expands the School-Based Health Center Grant Program, ensuring students, regardless of zip code, can get the medical, behavioral, oral and preventive health care they need.”
SB24-034 Expands the School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units. School-based health centers are located in schools throughout Colorado to provide essential medical and behavioral health care to children and youth. Under current law, the School-Based Health Center Grant Program supports the establishment, expansion, and ongoing operation of school-based health centers. SB24-034 allows the program to work in conjunction with other school-related programs, such as telehealth and mobile health units.
