What's happening
This bill establishes a program to provide free fentanyl test strips and public education on fentanyl risks in New York.
Why it matters
Expands access to harm reduction tools. By mandating free fentanyl test strips at locations like emergency rooms, treatment centers, homeless shelters, and more, the bill makes it easier for people at risk of fentanyl exposure to protect themselves—potentially reducing accidental overdoses.
Provides legal protection for users. The bill specifically prohibits law enforcement from targeting individuals who obtain fentanyl test strips, helping to reduce fears of criminalization and encouraging more people to access this life-saving resource.
Promotes public education and awareness. The legislation requires a coordinated public campaign about fentanyl’s dangers and the availability of free test strips, aiming to reach both those at risk and the broader community with accurate, actionable information.
Empowers local response. By allowing the state office to designate additional distribution sites as needed, the bill ensures flexibility to address local needs and changing patterns in substance use or overdose risk.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Drug Test Strips
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to ways and means
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1084
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. STECK, ZACCARO, BORES, K. BROWN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the fentanyl test strip program
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 19.46 to read as follows: § 19.46 Fentanyl test strip program.
1. The commissioner shall establish a program whereby individuals may receive, free of charge, fentanyl test strips to detect the presence of fentanyl. The following facilities may apply to distribute such fentanyl test strips:
(a) hospital emergency rooms;
(b) addiction treatment facilities;
(c) facilities for substance use disorder programs;
(d) homeless shelters;
(e) urgent care centers;
(f) mobile medication units;
(g) treatment facilities as defined in subdivision five of section 22.09 of this title; and
(h) any other setting, as determined by the office, which is routinely accessed by individuals with a substance use disorder.
2. Individuals shall not be targeted by law enforcement when they are obtaining the fentanyl test strips at the facilities pursuant to subdivision one of this section.
3. The commissioner, in cooperation with the commissioner of the department of health, shall develop and conduct a public awareness and educational campaign on the dangers of fentanyl. Such campaign shall detail where fentanyl may be found and the availability of the free
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03052-01-5
fentanyl test strips at the facilities referenced in subdivision one of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. 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 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.