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HB 355

Emergency Opioid Antagonists in Public K-12 Schools and Postsecondary Educational Institutions

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jose Alvarez and 6 co-sponsors

Bill required Florida schools to stock naloxone to treat opioid overdoses, addressing youth overdose deaths but raising implementation costs and liability concerns.

Died in Rules, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 1255 (Ch. 2025-110)
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Bill Summary · HB 355

Legislative bill overview

HB 355 would have required Florida public K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions to stock and maintain emergency opioid antagonists (naloxone/Narcan) on campus, similar to how schools maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill aimed to enable rapid response to opioid overdoses among students and staff.

Why is this important

Opioid overdoses are a leading cause of accidental death among young people, and access to naloxone in the critical first minutes can be lifesaving. Schools are high-concentration locations where overdoses could occur, making them logical distribution points for this emergency medication. The bill addresses a genuine public health gap in Florida's response infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and liability concerns: Schools may resist new mandates requiring purchase, maintenance, training, and potential legal liability for administering naloxone
  • Implementation logistics: Questions about proper storage, staff training requirements, expiration management, and who is authorized to administer the medication
  • Root cause vs. symptom treatment: Some argue resources should focus on addiction prevention and treatment rather than emergency response equipment
  • Companion bill preference: The bill died in Rules committee, but a companion bill (CS/CS/HB 1255) passed instead, suggesting legislators preferred an alternative approach with different provisions

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

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