Legislation aims to speed up sharing of overdose data for prevention and public health response.
On Tuesday, the Washington State House of Representatives passed House Bill 2168, legislation sponsored by Rep. Deb Manjarrez to facilitate the rapid sharing of drug overdose data to better prevent future overdoses and improve public health response across the state.
“Our state is facing an overdose crisis that demands smarter, faster action,” said Manjarrez, R-Wapato. “By getting data in near real time instead of after the fact, we give first responders, health care providers, and community partners the tools to save lives and get ahead of overdose spikes.”
HB 2168 directs the Washington State Department of Health to submit certain emergency medical services (EMS) patient encounter data related to opioid overdoses to the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) within 24 hours of submission into the state EMS Information System. The data includes the time and date of overdoses, location coordinates, whether any opioid reversal medication was administered, and whether the overdose was fatal or nonfatal.
The data sharing system is structured with privacy protections: information may not be used for law enforcement welfare checks, warrants, criminal investigations, or prosecution of individuals treated for overdoses.
“This isn’t a new, expensive program. It is data we already collect, but we can finally put it to work in ways that meaningfully protect people’s lives,” Manjarrez added. “Families and communities are hurting. It’s time our policies reflect urgency and compassion.”
House Bill 2168 now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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Washington State House Republicans