What's happening
This bill requires opioid antagonist kits distributed in New York to include information on Good Samaritan legal protections.
Why it matters
Expanding awareness of legal protection. By requiring opioid antagonist kits to include information on Good Samaritan protections, the bill aims to reassure bystanders that they are legally protected when aiding someone during an overdose, potentially encouraging more people to act quickly in emergencies.
Reducing barriers to emergency response. Fear of legal repercussions is a common reason people hesitate to call for help during an overdose. This bill directly addresses that concern and could help save lives by making it clear that helping is protected by law.
Standardizing and broadening information provided. The bill ensures that all distributed opioid antagonist kits contain comprehensive, standardized information—not just about overdose response, but also about legal rights—helping both frequent and first-time users of these kits.
Supporting public health and harm reduction efforts. By making Good Samaritan laws more visible, the measure supports larger harm reduction strategies in New York, promoting safer communities and potentially reducing opioid-related deaths.
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Who cares
Opioid overdose prevention programs
The bill would require informational cards or sheets distributed with opioid antagonists through the program to explain the application of Good Samaritan protections.
People administering opioid antagonists in emergencies
They would receive information about Good Samaritan protections alongside existing instructions on recognizing overdoses and calling first responders.
New York State Department of Health
The department would need to make informational cards containing the added Good Samaritan information available to opioid overdose prevention programs.
Headline styles
Opioid Overdose Info Required
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A7277
- Ordered to third reading cal.1328
- Referred to rules
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.
Expand Opioid Overdose Info
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6361
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 6, 2019
Introduced by Sens. CARLUCCI, JACOBS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to information regarding the use of opioid antagonists for first aid or emergency treatment
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3-a of section 3309 of the public health law, as added by chapter 34 of the laws of 2014 and as renumbered by section 3 of part V of chapter 57 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
3-a. Any distribution of opioid antagonists through this program shall include an informational card or sheet. The informational card or sheet shall include, at a minimum, information on:
(a) how to recognize symptoms of an opioid overdose;
(b) steps to take prior to and after an opioid antagonist is administered, including calling first responders;
(c) the number for the toll free office of alcoholism and substance abuse services HOPE line;
(d) how to access the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services' website; [and]
(e) the application of good samaritan protections provided in section three thousand-a of this chapter; and
(f) any other information deemed relevant by the commissioner.
The educational card shall be provided in languages other than English as deemed appropriate by the commissioner. The department shall make such informational cards available to the opioid overdose prevention programs.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06770-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to information regarding the use of opioid antagonists for first aid or emergency treatment
Purpose
This bill will add Good Samaritan protections to the list of information on the card that accompanies opioid antagonists
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends Subdivision 3-a of section 3309 of the public health law by adding the Good Samaritan protections to the informational card
Section 2 is the enacting clause
Justification
Opioid antagonists had become an important tool in the battle against the opioid epidemic. That is why it is important that people know how and when they can use this tool. This bill will add Good Samaritan protections to the list of required information that is on the informa- tional card that comes with opioid antagonists.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.