What's happening
This bill decriminalizes the possession of buprenorphine by removing it from the definition of controlled substances in New York.
Why it matters
Reduces criminal penalties for people using buprenorphine. a key medication for opioid addiction treatment—by removing it from New York’s list of controlled substances, making it less risky for individuals to seek or possess this treatment outside of formal medical supervision.
Supports public health and harm reduction strategies. by potentially increasing access to a proven tool for opioid use disorder, which could lower overdose rates and encourage more people to begin or stay in recovery.
Aims to reduce stigma and legal barriers. that deter people from seeking help for addiction, signaling a shift toward treating substance use as a health issue rather than a criminal matter.
May alleviate pressure on the criminal justice system. by reducing arrests and prosecutions related to buprenorphine possession, allowing resources to be redirected to more serious offenses or treatment initiatives.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Decriminalize Buprenorphine Possession
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10109
IN ASSEMBLY
March 12, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to decriminalizing the possession of buprenorphine
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 5 and 8 of section 220.00 of the penal law, subdivision 5 as amended by chapter 537 of the laws of 1998 and subdivision 8 as amended by section 18 of part C of chapter 447 of the laws of 2012, are amended to read as follows:
5. "Controlled substance" means any substance listed in schedule I, II, III, IV or V of section thirty-three hundred six of the public health law other than buprenorphine and marihuana, but including concentrated cannabis as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision four of section thirty-three hundred two of such law.
8. "Narcotic preparation" means any controlled substance listed in schedule II(b-1), III(d) or III(e) other than buprenorphine.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15007-01-0
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.