As schools start back up across the Peach State, two new laws are on the books that add requirements for school districts regarding opioid antidotes and defibrillators.
Senate Bill 395 requires public schools to make a “reasonable effort” to stock an opioid antidote to treat overdoses related to substances such as fentanyl. This act was passed following an incident in May at Dunwoody High School, where a student suffered acute fentanyl intoxication and later died.
Fentanyl-related deaths have become a major issue across Georgia, with fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increasing by 800% among adolescents in 2021, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
To further invest in students’ health, House Bill 874 requires Georgia public schools to carry an automatic external defibrillator to use in cases of cardiac arrest.
Georgia’s recent legislation will also bring major changes for school employees.
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