expired opioid antagonists; use
HB 2697 allows pharmacists, health departments, and healthcare providers to dispense or distribute expired FDA-approved naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) to individuals at risk of overdose, their families, or community organizations that assist them. The bill defines "expired opioid antagonist" as medication with an expiration date within five years of use, expanding access to this critical tool. It provides immunity from liability for professionals acting in good faith while following protocols, including instructing users to call emergency services after administration. This policy directly affects people at risk of opioid overdose, pharmacists, healthcare providers, and community health programs distributing naloxone.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 20, 2026
Last action Mar 16, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced Version
→
House Engrossed Version (03/04/2026)
·
4 edits
·
Mar 4, 2026
MODERATE
This bill expands the use of expired opioid antagonists (like naloxone) for overdose prevention by allowing them to be used up to three years past their expiration date. It updates multiple statutes to clarify that pharmacists, health departments, and community programs can distribute these expired medications without fear of liability, provided they act in good faith. The changes aim to ensure a steady supply of life-saving medication when new stock is unavailable.
Scope change
The bill broadens the scope of who can legally use expired opioid antagonists and extends the time window for their use from five years to three years past the expiration date.
DEFINITION
Changed the definition of 'expired opioid antagonist' to allow use up to three years past the expiration date, down from the previous five-year limit.
ELIGIBILITY
Added explicit language allowing pharmacists and health professionals to provide expired opioid antagonists without compensation to individuals at risk of or experiencing an overdose.
REQUIREMENT
New requirements mandate that programs distributing these kits must develop standards for disposal based on scientific evidence and ensure the number of syringes disposed of matches the number distributed.
ENFORCEMENT
Updated immunity clauses to protect pharmacists and health professionals from liability when using or distributing expired opioid antagonists, provided they act in good faith.
Floor votes · House Mar 4, 2026
How they voted
51–2
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 60
Mar 4, 2026
D
Democratic27
85% Yea
R
Republican33
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
0
Amendments
2
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Julie Willoughby
RRepublican
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