What's happening
This bill creates a peer-to-peer support program for substance use disorder, establishing certification, training, and services for peer recovery assistance, especially after opioid overdoses.
Why it matters
Focuses on lived experience as a resource. By formally recognizing and certifying people with personal histories of substance use and recovery as peer supporters, the program taps into an often underutilized source of empathy and insight, potentially increasing trust and engagement among those currently struggling with addiction.
Bridges the gap after crisis moments. The bill specifically targets people who have just experienced an opioid overdose or other substance use emergency, offering immediate peer support to help them connect with treatment and avoid falling through the cracks at a vulnerable time.
Broadens the scope of recovery support. Certified peer supporters will provide a wide range of non-clinical services, from helping with practical matters (like applying for benefits or attending medical appointments) to raising awareness of available resources and modeling coping skills, thus addressing social determinants that impact recovery.
Integrates peer support across emergency and law enforcement services. By coordinating with hospitals, police, fire, and first responders, the program aims to ensure that anyone revived from an opioid overdose—regardless of where it occurs—is offered recovery support, making interventions more consistent and comprehensive.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Support for Opioid Overdose Recovery
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
- Print number 8384a
- Amend and recommit to alcoholism and drug abuse
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Support for Overdose Survivors
In Senate Committee · Alcoholism And Drug Abuse · Sponsor Chris Jacobs
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8384--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
June 12, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to opioid overdose reversal and peer to peer support services
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 19.18-b to read as follows: § 19.18-b Substance use disorder peer to peer support services program.
1. For purposes of this subdivision "peer to peer support services" means participant-centered services that emphasize knowledge and wisdom through lived experience in which peers are encouraged to share their own personal experience and first-hand knowledge of substance abuse, addiction, and recovery to support the recovery goals of individuals who use drugs and/or alcohol.
2. The commissioner, in consultation with the department of health shall develop and administer a certification process and standards of training and competency for substance use disorder peer support services.
3. Certified peer to peer support services shall include but not be limited to:
(a) developing recovery plans;
(b) raising awareness of existing social and other support services;
(c) modeling coping skills;
(d) assisting with applying for benefits;
(e) accompanying clients to medical appointments;
(f) providing non-clinical crisis support, especially after periods of hospitalization or incarceration;
(g) accompanying clients to court appearances and other appointments;
(h) working with participants to identify strengths;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11888-04-7
A. 8384--A 2
(i) linking participants to formal recovery supports, including, but not limited to, medication assisted treatment;
(j) educating program participants about various modes of recovery, including, but not limited to, medication assisted treatment;
(k) peer engagement coordination with hospital emergency services to assist any patient that has been administered an opioid antagonist by a medical provider to establish connections to treatment, including, but not limited to, medication assisted treatment and other supports after an opioid overdose reversal or after discharge from another substance abuse related emergency department visit; and
(l) peer engagement coordination with law enforcement departments, fire departments and other first responder departments to assist any individual that has been administered an opioid antagonist by a first responder to establish connections to treatment, including, but not limited to, medication assisted treatment and other support services after an opioid overdose reversal.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.