# Plain Language Summary: Protecting Kids from Fentanyl Act

This bill lets schools use leftover COVID-19 relief money for a new purpose: fighting the fentanyl crisis. During the pandemic, the federal government gave schools billions of dollars in emergency funding. Much of that money still hasn't been spent. This bill says schools can now use any unspent COVID funds to buy naloxone (also called Narcan), which is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and save someone's life. Schools can also use these funds to train staff like nurses, teachers, and administrators how to use naloxone in an emergency, and to teach students about the dangers of fentanyl and drug abuse.

The bill recognizes that fentanyl—a powerful synthetic opioid—has become a major threat to young people. Fentanyl is often mixed into other drugs without people knowing, making it extremely dangerous. By allowing schools to redirect existing COVID money toward this purpose, the bill aims to make sure schools have the tools and knowledge to respond if a student overdoses. The training would help school staff recognize an overdose and administer naloxone quickly, which can be the difference between life and death.

The bill also makes clear that states and local school districts have the flexibility to decide how much of their unspent COVID money to use for this purpose—they can use some or all of it. Additionally, the bill protects states' ability to set their own rules about how naloxone is used in schools, so it doesn't override any existing state laws. Essentially, this is about giving schools an additional tool and resources to protect students from one of the most serious drug threats facing young people today.

Protecting Kids from Fentanyl Act

Lamborn, Doug

Protecting Kids from Fentanyl Act This bill allows states and local educational agencies to use unexpended COVID-19 elementary and secondary school emergency relief funds for additional purposes. In particular, these funds may be used for (1) purchasing naloxone or other opioid antagonists; (2) providing training to school nurses, teachers, school administrators, and school resource officers on how to administer naloxone or other opioid antagonists; and (3) providing fentanyl awareness classes or materials to students.