Kansas House Bill HB2159

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/25
• Refer: 1/30/25
• Report Pass: 2/17/25
• Refer: 2/18/25
• Refer: 2/26/25

Caption

Exempting law enforcement agencies who do not provide emergency opioid antagonistspursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director.

Impact

The implications of HB2159 are significant, particularly as it removes law enforcement agencies from the state board of pharmacy's statewide opioid antagonist protocol. This change is intended to facilitate better access to emergency opioid antagonists without the layers of bureaucratic oversight that may delay access in emergency situations. By providing a financial framework and resources to law enforcement, the bill aims to enhance immediate response efforts in overdose situations, potentially reducing mortality rates associated with opioid overdoses.

Summary

House Bill 2159 aims to establish the emergency opioid antagonists assistance grant fund to support law enforcement agencies in purchasing emergency opioid antagonists. This initiative is designed to enhance the readiness and capability of law enforcement officials to respond to opioid overdoses effectively. The bill mandates an annual transfer of $4,000,000 from the state general fund to the newly created grant fund, prioritizing smaller law enforcement agencies in the distribution of resources needed to obtain these critical life-saving medications.

Contention

Some notable points of contention regarding HB2159 may arise from its exclusion of law enforcement agencies from certain regulatory protocols. Advocates for stronger regulatory measures may argue that this could lead to inconsistencies in how emergency opioid antagonists are administered across different jurisdictions. Furthermore, the allocation of state funds primarily to small law enforcement agencies could raise questions about equity and the effectiveness of resource distribution among various agencies that are tackling the opioid crisis.