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Bill

SB 137

Require hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Nickie Antonio and 15 co-sponsors

Ohio SB 137 requires hospitals to stock and administer overdose reversal drugs like naloxone to patients experiencing opioid overdoses in emergency settings.

Effective 6/9/26
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Bill Summary · SB 137

Legislative bill overview

SB 137 would mandate that hospitals in Ohio maintain and provide access to overdose reversal medications, primarily naloxone (Narcan), to patients experiencing opioid overdoses. The bill establishes a requirement for hospital emergency departments and other relevant units to stock these life-saving drugs and administer them as part of standard overdose treatment protocols.

Why is this important

Opioid overdose deaths remain a critical public health crisis in Ohio, and rapid access to reversal drugs significantly increases survival rates. Ensuring all hospitals have standardized access to naloxone removes variability in emergency response and could prevent deaths among vulnerable populations. This represents a practical policy intervention with demonstrated effectiveness in reducing overdose mortality.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: Questions about who bears the expense of maintaining naloxone stockpiles in hospitals, particularly for uninsured or underinsured patients
  • Scope and enforcement: Debate over whether requirements should apply to all hospitals equally or whether smaller rural facilities face disproportionate burden
  • Liability concerns: Potential disagreement about legal protections for hospitals and providers administering reversal drugs, especially regarding consent and follow-up care
  • Complementary services: Tension between treating immediate overdose versus addressing underlying addiction, with concern that medication alone without counseling/treatment options is insufficient

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

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