View as a webpage / Share [ [link removed] ]
GO Letterhead
________________________________________________________________________
*For Immediate Release: *
April 9, 2025
*Contact: *
Grace Hoge
[email protected]
*Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill Removing Barriers to Combat the Opioid Epidemic*
*
TOPEKA *– Governor Laura Kelly has signed *Substitute Bill for Senate Bill 193* [ [link removed] ], which removes administrative barriers for law enforcement agencies to provide lifesaving care to Kansans during an opioid overdose.
“Ensuring our law enforcement officers have the resources needed to combat the opioid epidemic is essential and will undoubtedly save more Kansans’ lives,” *Governor Laura Kelly said.* “We know that addiction does not discriminate. I’m proud to sign this bipartisan bill into law so that communities of all sizes can implement this commonsense policy and prevent Kansans from feeling the devastating impacts of fatal overdoses.”
Previously, law enforcement officers faced barriers to obtain naloxone, also known as Narcan, which reverses the effects of opioids, due to a statutory requirement mandating agencies to have a medical director or licensed pharmacist. The compliance cost and health care workforce shortage placed substantial obstacles on smaller law enforcement agencies that prevented many from meeting this requirement. Substitute Bill for Senate Bill 193 changes this outdated and unnecessary requirement now that these lifesaving drugs are available over the counter.
“The opioid epidemic has cost thousands of our fellow Kansans their lives. This commonsense fix will empower our first responders throughout our state to save lives,” *said Senator for District 39 William Clifford.* “As a former emergency medical technician I know that mere seconds can mean the difference between life and death. This legislation puts an important tool in the hands of all law enforcement and will have an immediate impact on survival from opioid overdoses.”
This change expands and streamlines law enforcement officers’ ability to swiftly provide critical care during life-threatening emergencies. If a new prescription grade opioid drug becomes available, then a law enforcement agency must procure the services of a physician or pharmacist.
“This bipartisan legislation breaks down roadblocks, so law enforcement officers are equipped with the tools they need to reverse opioid overdoses,” *said Senator for District 6 Pat Pettey.* “Making naloxone more accessible for law enforcement is a practical step forward as we continue fighting the opioid epidemic. I’m proud to support this bill and know it will have a tremendous impact in Kansas communities.”
Governor Kelly has consistently taken steps to combat the opioid epidemic in Kansas, including allocating funding for schools to have naloxone on hand, making historic investments to give law enforcement additional resources to crack down on illegal drugs, and signing landmark bipartisan legislation that decriminalized fentanyl test strips in 2023. Governor Kelly also signed the Good Samaritan Law last year to provide legal protection to those who seek or provide aid related to a drug-use medical emergency.
In addition to Substitute Bill for Senate Bill 193, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills:
*House Substitute for Senate Bill 126* [ [link removed] ]: Establishes an advance universal newborn screening program, provides for the reimbursement of certain treatment services, extends the transfer of funds to the Kansas newborn screening fund, increases state financial assistance to local health departments under certain circumstances, and increases the annual assessment rate on hospital providers.
*Senate Bill 21* [ [link removed] ]: Amends the Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act to change certain licensing requirements regarding live horse racing and to alter the distribution of moneys from certain funds related to horse racing.
*Senate Bill 42* [ [link removed] ]: Allows for the establishment of a web-based online insurance verification system for the real-time verification of motor vehicle insurance for law enforcement purposes. The bill also makes a number of technical changes impacting the insurance industry.
*Senate Bill 44* [ [link removed] ]: Declares that antisemitism and antisemitic acts are against the public policy of the state.
*Senate Bill 50* [ [link removed] ]: Establishes uniform interest rate provisions for service scholarship programs administered by the Kansas Board of Regents.
*Senate Bill 64* [ [link removed] ]: Adjusts certain internal KPERS Act statutory references, extends the time for filing administrative appeals, and updates state law federal internal revenue code.
*Senate Bill 13* [ [link removed] ]*5* [ [link removed] ]: Provides precedence of child-related orders issued under the protection from abuse act.
*Senate Bill 139* [ [link removed] ]: Updates certain definitions, terms, and conditions relating to the state banking code and trust companies.
*Senate Bill 199* [ [link removed] ]: Authorizes the year-round sale of fireworks and establishes procedures for retailers to opt-in to permanent, rather than seasonal, sales. The bill also establishes the Kansas Firefighters Memorial Council and designates the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Wichita as the official Fallen Firefighters Memorial of the state of Kansas.
###
Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor: Facebook [ [link removed] ] Twitter [ [link removed] ] Visit our Website [ [link removed] ] GovDelivery Signup [ [link removed] ] SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe All [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ]
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 0px; }
________________________________________________________________________
This email was sent to
[email protected] using govDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Kansas Office of the Governor · Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 241S · Topeka, KS 66612-1590 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
