Drug overdose reporting bill ‘is about saving lives’

SHERIDAN (WNE) — In 2022, there were 126 overdose deaths in Wyoming according to the Center for Disease Control.

Senate File 74, “Immunity for drug overdose reporting,” which would offer protections to Wyomingites who report or experience a drug overdose, could help reduce that number by about one in six. The bill is advancing in the Wyoming Senate.

“We have an opportunity to stop one of them. That’s amazing,” Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, said. “There aren’t a lot of other things that we do in here where we have the potential to make that much of a difference.”

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, Wyoming is currently one of 10 states without a law granting immunity to someone who calls 911 for drug overdoses.

That protection would extend to all Wyomingites.

The bill exempts people whose overdose is called in by another person from prosecution for the first two incidents. The bill does not include a limit for someone calling to seek help for themselves or others.

Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, said the bill — which aims to help people — should also include a provision to explicitly provide the ability to seek treatment for people who overdose. He said he doesn’t want to enable people who continue to abuse drugs or opioids.

The Senate approved the bill on the first reading Friday with a voice vote. A roll call vote could occur as early as Tuesday on third reading.

Lawmakers speaking in favor of the bill from the Senate floor urged their colleagues’ support.

“This bill is about saving lives,” said Sen. Evie Brennan, R-Cheyenne.

This story was published on January 24, 2025.