Bill > S1073

Introduced Session

This bill permits a public library to obtain a supply of opioid antidotes to be maintained in a secure location in the library for the purpose of responding to an opioid overdose emergency. A public library may obtain the opioid antidotes through a standing order issued to the library pursuant to the "Overdose Prevention Act," P.L.2013, c.46 (C.24:6J-1 et seq.), or from a pharmacy pursuant to a standing order issued pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2017, c.88 (C.45:14-67.2). A library that maintains a supply of opioid antidotes is required to have at least one librarian or other library employee who is trained in the administration of opioid antidotes. The State Librarian, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, will specify an appropriate entity or entities to provide the training to library employees, and the training will include the overdose prevention information described in subsection a. of section 5 of the "Overdose Prevention Act" (C.24:6J-5). Under the bill, a librarian or other library employee who is properly trained will be permitted to administer an opioid antidote to any person whom the librarian or employee in good faith believes is experiencing an opioid overdose. A librarian or other library employee who administers an opioid antidote will be required to ensure that the overdose victim is transported, or is offered transport, to a hospital by emergency medical services personnel or by another first responder after the administration of the opioid antidote, regardless of whether the person's symptoms appear to have resolved. The bill authorizes the Commissioner of Human Services to establish a grant program in order to assist public libraries with the costs of purchasing opioid antidotes and providing training to library employees. The grant program will be based upon any monies appropriated by the Legislature and any monies the commissioner may seek from the federal government, private foundations, or other sources. To be eligible for consideration of a grant award, a public library will submit an application to the Department of Human Services in accordance with application procedures and requirements prescribed by the commissioner. At a minimum, the grant applications will include information regarding: the quantity of opioid antidotes the library intends to obtain; the number of library employees who are, or will be, trained in administering opioid antidotes; the prevalence of opioid abuse and overdose deaths in the geographic area where the library is located; and other information as specified by the commissioner. The commissioner will establish selection criteria for awarding the grants, subject to the availability of funds, and will determine the amount for each grant that is approved.

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Joe Cryan (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/30/2020)

Official Document