Bill > A09287

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations and restrictions around the possession, sale, and use of nitrous oxide, addressing concerns about its misuse. The legislation is divided into four parts: Part A criminalizes certain sales and possessions of nitrous oxide by amending public health and penal laws, creating new criminal offenses with varying degrees of severity for possessing or selling nitrous oxide outside of "acceptable uses" such as industrial, medical, or food preparation purposes. Part B introduces a detailed regulatory framework for nitrous oxide retail sales, including requiring a permit, establishing age restrictions (21 years old), mandating point-of-sale documentation, implementing a real-time stop sale system, and setting quantity limits of 100 grams per 30-day period. Part C establishes an education and outreach program through the public health department to inform the public about the dangers of nitrous oxide misuse, including potential health risks like vitamin B-12 deficiency and asphyxiation. Part D criminalizes driving while impaired by nitrous oxide, creating a legal framework for prosecuting such offenses with a rebuttable presumption of impairment based on the presence of nitrous oxide containers or positive testing. The bill aims to prevent recreational misuse of nitrous oxide while maintaining legitimate uses in various professional and commercial contexts.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A9287