Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
04/05/2024 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB202 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 202 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 202-OPIOID OVERDOSE DRUGS IN SCHOOLS
8:02:36 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the only order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 202, "An Act relating to the
availability and administration of opioid overdose drugs in
public schools."
8:03:25 AM
SAVAYA BIEBER, Staff, Representative DeLena Johnson, Alaska
State Legislature, reintroduced HB 202 on behalf of
Representative D. Johnson, prime sponsor. She explained that HB
202 would require each school district to ensure that a person
who is trained to administer naloxone is on site when the main
school building is open to the public during school sponsored
events and weekend activities on or off school grounds and on
school buses. The bill would also require main school buildings
to keep two doses of naloxone on site and at least one dose at
school sponsored events and on buses while students are being
transferred.
8:04:22 AM
RANDY TRANI, Superintendent, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School
District, gave invited testimony in what he stated was general
support for HB 202; however, there were some concerns with the
wording, he said. He offered his understanding of the intention
to have as much naloxone available as possible, but every
building is open to the public, and he gave an example of groups
using the facilities and that he was concerned about having
someone trained on site each time this occurs. Similarly, with
buses, he noted that the bus drivers are not the boroughs'
employees and not in their contracts; therefore, contracts would
have to be renegotiated. He said he understood the idea of
having a lifesaving drug around as much as possible, but he
asked to rephrase the language to be more like an automated
external defibrillator (AED). He acknowledged that the training
for dispensing the spray is not lengthy and likely easier than
an AED, and he foresaw that it could be available for whenever
the building was open. He offered to be available for questions
specific to the borough.
8:07:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT referred to Mr. Trani's conversation
about AEDs and asked him to expand on whether it was tied to a
statute or guidelines.
MR. TRANI confirmed it was in the school district board policy
but that he was not certain it was tied to a statute. He said
the AEDs are modern ones where one can be verbally walked
through their use. He opined that something similar could be
done for the naloxone nasal spray.
8:08:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the kits were kept in the
offices or hallways.
MR. TRANI said they are in two places: the nurse's office and
the front desk, but they are not currently exposed. He added
that if it were put into statute, that would change.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked how much the kits cost.
MR. TRANI replied that he did not know the cost because they are
provided by the state.
8:10:42 AM
MS. BIEBER stated that she spoke with the Department of Health
(DOH) and a kit containing two doses is $45.
8:10:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether current policies cover any
sort of legal costs or ramifications should something happen.
MR. TRANI replied he had not looked into that specifically, but
due to having the AEDs already available, it is likely that the
insurance carrier would not have any concerns with another
lifesaving technology available to the public. He added that
training is provided while students are in the building and
there has been no concern with insurance coverage with staff
being taught how to use the technology.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked for confirmation whether an amendment
may be needed regarding legal issues that should be addressed.
8:12:54 AM
MS. BIEBER added that the Good Samaritan law had specific
language for naloxone use.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE agreed and added that a person is allowed to
attempt to save someone's life.
8:13:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT alluded to a situation that might arise
where the spray is left on a bus and freezes.
MR. TRANI said he could not speak to shelf stability of the
drug, but he agreed it was worth looking into.
8:15:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DELENA JOHNSON, Alaska State Legislature, added
that she was looking into an amendment that might take buses out
of the equation. She stated she would find out more about the
shelf life and stability of the kit.
8:16:23 AM
ROY GETCHELL, Superintendent, Haines Borough School District,
gave invited testimony in support of HB 202 and related that he
found an article on the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) website regarding opioid deaths and concerns,
and he offered an example of a situation in his own community.
As a result, he said, the district worked closely with "Project
Gabe" to be a part of a community-wide solution, and that the
project has actual boxes that look similar to an AED that people
have easy access to. He noted there is a box by the school gym
due to evening activities when staff is not there, and another
kit in the office. He said the challenge is that the kits do
not "walk off." He explained that there is a potential that a
student or community member has someone they are concerned about
at home and takes the contents of the box with them. He said he
checked with a nurse in Juneau who related that almost everyone
in the Southeast is participating. He opined it is an important
initiative for schools and communities, but with some
reservations. All staff are trained, he said, but he cannot
ensure that the kits are stocked, and he wished to see some
limits of liability. He offered his agreement with former
concerns on buses being involved. He welcomed questions from
committee members.
8:21:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said Project Gabe triggered a memory in
that the project specifically worked with the fishing industry,
placing kits on fishing vessels and in processing plants. She
asked whether Project Gabe provided the material needed for the
Haines School District free of charge.
MR. GETCHELL confirmed that the district has been provided the
materials. He added that the kits are in a highly recognized
box and convenient location, which makes them easy to spot.
8:24:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Mr. Getchell whether he was aware of
other single site districts across the state having similar
partnerships, and about having at least one person trained to
respond at all times to this crisis.
MR. GETCHELL replied that he did not have data on other
districts, but he talked with the public health nurse in Juneau
who related that many school districts are involved with Project
Gabe or Project HOPE, but he was not aware of it being
statewide. He said he advocated for the boxes as they contain
directions and aids for many different things aside from the
antidote in the event of an overdose.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Mr. Getchell whether there would be
regular public education to ensure the public and his staff are
aware.
MR. GETCHELL stated that he had a lot of support in Haines, and
there are a lot of single site schools that may have different
access to "these kinds of things," and challenges may be
different statewide. He said that in a rural and isolated
district, he would be unsure of the kits being stocked on a
regular basis and making sure there are no legal ramifications.
8:29:03 AM
THERESA WELTON, Manager, Office of Substance Misuse and
Addiction Prevention, Department of Health, gave invited
testimony during the hearing on HB 202 and stated she hoped to
answer questions raised regarding naloxone, also known as
Narcan. She stressed that it only works on an opioid overdose,
but not on overdoses of cocaine, methamphetamines or sedative
overdose; however, if it is used in those cases, it does not
cause harm. She offered additional facts about naloxone
including that there is no age limit for being treated with the
spray, it expires after three years, and it freezes at 32
degrees [Fahrenheit], but if it is frozen and warmed up it can
still be effective, she said. The spray restores breathing
until emergency services arrive, and a person can use multiple
doses without harm. Training takes approximately 15 minutes, is
very straightforward, and many have had training to administer
naloxone. Previous conversation in the hearing covered her
additional information on the drug. She concluded her testimony
by relating that research has shown no evidence that naloxone
leads to more drug use. She welcomed questions from committee
members.
8:32:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Ms. Welton what the cost is to
distribute to the 13 districts and sought clarity about not
having the budget to expand distribution to all 54 districts.
MS. WELTON named the 13 school districts that receive the
distribution of the kits, and she stated she did not have the
numbers on the cost but would get the information to the
committee at a later date. She said the budget is funded by a
couple federal grant programs and that she could answer neither
regarding authorization for what the monies were to be spent on
nor about the coverage of the 54 school districts.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether there would be the capacity
to work with all 54 school districts.
MS. WELTON replied that currently, she had one staff member who
handled the program and worked with many volunteers across the
state that help with distribution and training. She added that
it would be very difficult to expand to 54 districts.
8:36:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked Ms. Welton how difficult it would
be for public health nurses to ensure the supplies are available
and updated.
MS. WELTON replied that she did not want to speak to the public
health nurses and their capacity to do so; however, they have
been very instrumental in helping Project HOPE distribute the
kits throughout the state as well as provide training. She
noted that the drug could be easily ordered now that it is over
the counter (OTC).
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked what the reach of the public
health nurses was across the state; for example, whether there
was a nurse in every hub community.
MS. WELTON said that was not her office and she does not have
the answer, aside from relating that they are in many hub
communities. She added she could provide a more detailed answer
to the committee at a later date.
8:40:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY inquired about who provided training for
the school districts.
MS. WELTON replied that the training is provided to anyone both
in person and virtual. She added "train the trainer" had been
done with most of the public health nurses and public educators.
She reiterated the simplicity of the training, as it is just a
nasal applicator.
8:42:25 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE thanked Ms. Welton for providing testimony
and invited questions for the bill sponsor.
8:42:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY touched on affordability and whether the
opioid settlement group had plans to get money for the school
districts.
REPRESENTATIVE D. JOHNSON responded that her intent is, before
the bill goes to the House Finance Committee, to go through the
funding sources and look for the opioid settlement money.
8:44:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX referred to the discussion regarding school
buses and expressed his concern that something that is going to
be prescribed in statute be thoroughly considered.
MS. BIEBER said they are looking at ways to take out the section
on bus drivers and that they are exploring "a couple different
routes."
REPRESENTATIVE D. JOHNSON agreed it was a good point the
committee brought up and acknowledged the multiple contracts
that already exist. She stated that it may be prudent to take
out the bus portion.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Representative D. Johnson whether she
had talked to the Department of Law about liability.
REPRESENTATIVE D. JOHNSON replied there was a legal memo from
Legislative Legal Services that spoke of the Good Samaritan law,
and as far as liability not being in the kit, she expressed that
would be the biggest concern she had. She reiterated that
naloxone is a safe drug and giving it to districts even without
a large amount of training has the potential to save lives, she
opined.
8:50:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT expressed her gratitude for the piece
of proposed legislation and noted that it was the fourth
unfunded mandate in the committee under consideration this
session. She further expressed her concern for districts if
doses get lost or taken, resulting in the rise of costs adding
up. She stated she would be happy to work with Representative
D. Johnson on the bill.
8:51:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY referred to the time frame and
characterized the responsibility of a district to have a trained
staff person present as problematic, and she asked whether any
thought had been given to coming up with a solution.
REPRESENTATIVE D. JOHNSON confirmed she had given it thought,
and it may be that is not a possibility to have at every school
event; however, the intention is to have coaches possibly be
trained. She stressed that the most important thing is having
the kit supplied and that people know about it.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY suggested the possibility of language that
could be added to the existing language in the bill even
referencing the community and off-hours, as well as having
negotiated contracts for bus drivers.
REPRESENTATIVE D. JOHNSON welcomed the suggestion.
8:55:26 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE offered his opinion that there is a level of
individual responsibility that can be taken for life saving
medications in the state. He provided examples of medications
than can be easily managed and stored. He welcomed closing
comments.
8:57:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE D. JOHNSON shared that it occurred to her that
many school districts are taking similar steps and that out in
the Bush, the schools are the center of activity and there are
not many pharmacies. Lifesaving medication should be available
in small Alaska towns, especially, she opined.
8:59:17 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that HB 202 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 202 Research - DOH Opioid Data Dashboard 09.22-08.23.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 202 |
| HB 202 Fiscal Note_ Dept of Health_Chronic Disease Prevention as of 1.10.24.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 202 |
| HB 202 Fiscal Note_DEED_Ed Support and Admin_Student and school achievement as of 1.5.24.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 202 |
| HB 202 Research - ASD Overdose Kits in Schools 4.28.23.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 202 |
| HB 202 Research - CDC Naloxone Info 4.21.23.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 202 |
| HB 202 Sectional Analysis 3.21.24.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 202 |
| HB 202 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 202 |
| HB 202 Version S.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 202 |