Committee narrows school naloxone bill to 'naloxone' and approves student possession provision

The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on an uncontested voice vote approved an amendment to House Bill 222 that narrows the bill’s language to specify naloxone and then passed the bill as amended. HB 222 requires local boards of education to authorize possession and administration of naloxone by high school students who have received training and extends an immunity from liability for students who, in good faith, respond to a peer’s overdose.

Special Secretary Emily Keller of Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response told the committee that naloxone (often distributed under the brand name Narcan) is the medication covered by Maryland’s standing order and the product most commonly used and trained for across the state. "Naloxone, also sometimes known as a brand name Narcan, is the most commonly used opioid reversal medication," Keller said, urging the committee to leave the bill's language specific to naloxone.

Vice Chair Kagan, who moved the amendment to strike references to "other opioid overdose reversing medications," said she worried about locking policy to one product over time but acknowledged that state training and standing orders currently focus on naloxone. The amendment was seconded and carried, and members then approved HB 222 as amended.

Supporters said the change aligns the bill with existing state training programs and standing orders; sponsors and MSDE had indicated a preference for limiting the bill to naloxone. The committee record shows the amendment was moved by the vice chair, seconded by Senator Harris, and adopted by voice vote.

The committee’s action sends HB 222 forward with the narrower language; members noted the bill would proceed through the remaining floor readings in the usual legislative process.