• Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12)

Outline of HB25-1293: Opioid Education and Response in Schools

Section 1: Inclusion of Drug Overdose Education in Health Standards (C.R.S. 22-7-1005)

• State Board Requirement:
• By July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education must update the 9th-12th grade health standards to include drug overdose education.
• The standards must cover:
• Risks of drug overdoses, including fentanyl and opioids.
• How to identify a drug overdose event.
• Prevention and response strategies.
• Positive social norms regarding drug education and intervention.
• Funding:
• The State Board may seek, accept, and expend private or public grants, gifts, or donations to implement these educational updates.

Section 2: School Policy for Opioid Antagonist Possession and Administration (C.R.S. 22-1-119.1)

(1) School Policy Authorization

• Schools may adopt policies allowing employees and agents to:
• Administer opioid antagonists on school grounds or buses.
• Furnish opioid antagonists to individuals, including students, with appropriate school-sponsored training.

(2) Encouragement of School Policies

• The General Assembly encourages school boards and nonpublic school governing bodies to:
• Implement opioid antagonist policies.
• Seek input from parents and students.
• Provide education and training on:
• Opioid antagonists.
• Non-laboratory opioid detection tests.
• Additive detection tests (for identifying potentially contaminated substances).
• Collaborate with opioid education and awareness groups.

(3) Funding for Implementation

• Schools may seek, accept, and expend private or public gifts, grants, or donations for:
• Acquiring and maintaining opioid antagonist supplies.
• Training employees and agents on opioid antagonist administration.
• Training students to properly receive and use opioid antagonists.

Section 3: Effective Date and Referendum Clause

• The act takes effect 90 days after final adjournment unless a referendum petition is filed.
• If referred to voters, it will be decided in November 2026 and take effect upon the Governor’s official declaration.

The bill requires the state board of education to adopt high school
health education standards regarding drug overdose risks, identification
of a drug overdose event, and drug overdose prevention and response.
The bill authorizes the state board of education to seek, accept, and
expend gifts, grants, or donations for the purpose of adopting these
standards.
The bill authorizes a school district, the state charter school
institute, a public school, or a nonpublic school to seek, accept, and
expend gifts, grants, or donations for purposes related to maintaining,
administering, and furnishing opioid antagonists.

• March 20, 2025: House Education Committee Report

• Past bill versions
• Past fiscal notes
• Committee activity and documents
• Bill History