SF3553

SF3553 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Possession and administration of opiate antagonists authorization for high school students

Related bill: HF3349

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

To improve response to opioid overdoses in high schools by allowing students to have and give an opiate antagonist to peers, with legal protections for those involved.

Main Provisions

Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 121A.224 subdivision 2.
Requires school districts and charter schools to allow students in grades 9 through 12 to possess and administer an opiate antagonist to another high school student.
Applies the protections of section 604A.04 to the possession and administration of opiate antagonists under this section.

What this bill seeks to accomplish

Expands peer access to a life-saving overdose reversal drug (opiate antagonist, such as naloxone) within high schools.
Enables a trained or capable student to assist a peer during an opioid overdose emergency, potentially reducing overdose deaths on school grounds.
Provides legal protections to students who possess or administer the drug in line with the cited statute.

Significant changes to existing law

Shifts some authority and responsibility for possession and use of opiate antagonists from limiting to adults or staff toward allowing high school students (grades 9-12) to possess and administer the drug to others.
Introduces or reinforces liability protections under 604A.04 for those acting in accordance with this provision.

Practical considerations

The bill references "opiate antagonist" without naming specific drugs, but this term commonly describes medications like naloxone.
The exact requirements for training, supervision, storage, and distribution are not detailed in the excerpt, so schools may need additional guidance to implement.

Relevant Terms opiate antagonist, naloxone, administration, possession, high school student, grades 9-12, school district, charter school, 604A.04, immunity, Minnestoa Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 121A.224 subdivision 2, opioid overdose, emergency response

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 17, 2026	Senate		Action	Introduction and first reading
February 17, 2026	Senate		Action	Referred to	Education Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Authorizes possession and administration of an opiate antagonist by a high school student to assist another student."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to allow high school students (grades 9–12) to possess and administer an opiate antagonist to another student, modifying section 121A.224, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 121A.224, subdivision 2; cross-references section 604A.04 to apply to this authority."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "121A.224",
    "subdivision": "subd. 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cross-reference indicating that the protections of section 604A.04 apply to possession and administration of opiate antagonists under the amended 121A.224, subd. 2.",
      "modified": [
        "This bill cross-references existing statute 604A.04; no direct changes stated to 604A.04."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "604A.04",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]