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LB 195

Provide immunity for administration of naloxone, nalmefene, or other federally approved opioid overdose reversal medications

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bob Hallstrom and 1 co-sponsor

LB 195 broadens immunity for administering opioid overdose reversal medications, including OTC access, protecting health professionals, responders, and lay rescuers from most liabi

Approved by Governor on April 7, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 195

Summary — LB 195 (2025)

Title: Provide immunity for administration of naloxone, nalmefene, or other federally approved opioid overdose reversal medications
Status: Approved by Governor April 7, 2025

Purpose

LB 195 modernizes and broadens existing statutory protections related to opioid overdose reversal drugs by replacing the brand-specific reference to “naloxone” with the broader term “opioid overdose reversal medication,” clarifying definitions, and extending immunity from discipline, criminal prosecution, and (in most cases) civil liability for persons who obtain or administer these medications.

Key provisions

  • Amends section 28-470, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024.
  • Replaces statutorily named “naloxone” with “opioid overdose reversal medication” so generic products and additional FDA-approved agents receive the same legal protections.
  • Defines “opioid overdose reversal medication” as any lifesaving medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for reversing an opioid overdose (explicitly includes but is not limited to naloxone and nalmefene). The statute retains a specific definition of naloxone as naloxone hydrochloride.
  • Immunity and scope:
    • Health professionals (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists) acting with reasonable care may prescribe, administer, or dispense such medications without being subject to administrative action or criminal prosecution.
    • Family members, friends, school personnel, and other nonprofessional rescuers (excluding emergency responders and peace officers) who, acting in good faith, obtain the medication from a health professional, via prescription, or over the counter, and administer it to someone experiencing an opioid overdose are protected from administrative action, credentialing actions, and criminal prosecution.
    • Emergency responders, peace officers, and qualifying law enforcement employees who obtain and administer such medication through their organizations are protected from administrative/criminal action and from personal civil liability, except for willful, wanton, or grossly negligent acts or omissions. Employer agency liability remains unaffected.
  • AM135 (committee amendment) explicitly expanded immunity to include opioid overdose reversal medications obtained over the counter.
  • Repeals the prior version of section 28-470 and replaces it with the amended language.

Who is affected

  • Health professionals (authorized prescribers/dispensers)
  • Emergency medical responders and EMS organizations
  • Peace officers, law enforcement employees, and law enforcement agencies
  • Family members, friends, school personnel, and other lay rescuers
  • Patients at risk of opioid overdose and the broader public health system

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced January 14, 2025; Judiciary Committee hearing January 23, 2025.
  • AM135 and AM240 were adopted in committee; advanced to General File and subsequently to Final Reading.
  • Passed Final Reading 47-0-2; presented to the Governor April 3, 2025; approved April 7, 2025.
  • Primary sponsor: Senator Glen Meyer (cosponsors include Hallstrom and others).

Potential impact (practical effect)

By broadening terminology and extending immunity (including to OTC acquisitions), the law aims to increase access to FDA-approved overdose reversal medications and reduce legal barriers for laypersons and responders to administer lifesaving treatment during opioid overdoses.

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

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