Kelly Morrison

06/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/10/2026 11:09

U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Overdose Deaths in Schools

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) introduced the bipartisan School Access to Naloxone Act, which would help ensure access to naloxone and that school personnel are trained in administering lifesaving medication to students in the case of an opioid overdose.
Every week, more than 20 adolescents die of an overdose in the United States - the equivalent of a high school classroom. Rep. Morrison's School Access to Naloxone Act aims to prevent these deaths by incentivizing schools to carry supplies of naloxone (also known as Narcan), a lifesaving drug that reverses opioid overdoses, and training nurses and school personnel on how to administer naloxone.
In her time in the Minnesota state legislature, Representative Morrison championed a bill to require naloxone in Minnesota schools and successfully passed it into law, making Minnesota one of only a dozen states that require public schools to carry doses of naloxone. This bill would encourage other states and local school districts to do the same by providing grant access to any state, locality, district or tribe that requires:
  • Schools to stock naloxone
  • Staff to be trained on its administration, and
  • Civil liability protection for trained personnel who administer naloxone in a school setting
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is co-led in the House by U.S. Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH) and in the Senate by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rick Scott (R-FL). This bill is endorsed by the National Association of School Nurses, School-Based Health Alliance, and AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
"As a doctor, I know having the right equipment and training on site can be the difference between life and death. Our nation is facing a youth mental health crisis, and we need to make sure we are tackling it from every direction. As we work to do everything we can to keep our kids safe, this is an easy, life-saving preventative measure we can all take. Our children's health and safety is not a partisan issue. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure our schools have the training and resources they need to save students' lives," said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison.
"Far too many American students have been or know someone deeply affected by the opioid crisis," said Congressman Dave Joyce. "Naloxone has proven to be a safe and effective opioid reversal medication, and expanding access to it could save countless lives. At a time when fentanyl is increasingly found in counterfeit pills and other illicit drugs, a single mistake can have deadly consequences. While I support prevention first and foremost, we should be making every effort to save our students' lives. Thank you to Congresswoman Morrison, Senator Merkley, and Senator Scott for their leadership on such a critical issue."
"Access to naloxone is a common-sense, life-saving measure for schools. Professional organizations including the National Association of School Nurses and the American Medical Association recommend naloxone access as an essential component of school emergency response. The School Access to Naloxone Act would help ensure school staff are trained, prepared and supported to respond quickly in the event of an opioid overdose. We appreciate Rep. Kelly Morrison's leadership on this bipartisan legislation to strengthen school emergency readiness, protect students and improve health outcomes in our communities," said Bloomington Public Schools Superintendent Eric Melbye.
"School nurses know firsthand that access to emergency medication can save lives. No school community should be left unprepared for an opioid-related emergency. The National Association of School Nurses supports the School Access to Naloxone Act because schools need both access to opioid-overdose reversal medication and trained personnel ready to respond in an emergency. Expanding access to these medications in schools is a practical, evidence-informed step that protects students, supports school communities, and strengthens the ability of school nurses and trained personnel to respond when minutes matter," said National Association of School Nurses President Lynn Nelson.
Read the full text of the bill HERE.
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