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HB 2436

Defining emergency opioid antagonist as including an expired emergency opioid antagonist for a person rendering aid to another in reasonable need of medical assistance.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Amyx and 23 co-sponsors

Kansas bill permits bystanders to use expired opioid antagonists without legal penalty when assisting overdose victims, removing barriers to emergency life-saving intervention.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2436

Legislative bill overview

HB 2436 expands Kansas's definition of "emergency opioid antagonist" to include expired doses of opioid antagonists (primarily naloxone/Narcan) when used by bystanders providing emergency aid. Currently, Kansas law may only recognize unexpired doses as legitimate emergency opioids antagonists for Good Samaritan protections. This change allows people to legally use expired antagonists in overdose situations without legal penalty.

Why is this important

Opioid overdose deaths remain a significant public health crisis. Expired naloxone may retain some efficacy, and in emergencies, a potentially working expired dose is often better than no intervention. This bill removes barriers that could discourage bystanders from helping overdose victims, potentially saving lives while also protecting Good Samaritan responders from legal liability.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical efficacy concerns: Opponents may argue that expired medications have unpredictable potency and could give false confidence to bystanders, delaying professional medical care
  • Liability and safety standards: Questions about whether codifying use of expired medications sets a problematic precedent for other emergency medicines or conflicts with pharmaceutical regulations
  • Implementation ambiguity: Unclear how "reasonable need" and "rendering aid" are legally defined, potentially creating litigation over what constitutes protected emergency use

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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