Bill
Bill > S800
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires that, whenever a general acute care hospital conducts a urine drug screening to assist in diagnosing a patient's condition, the urine drug screening is to include a test for the presence of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid that, even in very small amounts, can result in overdose and death. Fentanyl use has significantly increased during the opioid epidemic, in part because, with growing frequency, fentanyl is used to cut other drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. This practice has resulted in increasing overdose deaths, even among people who do not ordinarily use opioid drugs. Currently, urine drug screenings typically include tests for cocaine, certain opioids, and phencyclidine, but not fentanyl. It is the sponsor's belief that mandatory testing for the presence of fentanyl can help prevent overdose deaths by ensuring that patients who have ingested fentanyl, either intentionally or unintentionally, receive proper treatment for a fentanyl overdose. This bill will take effect immediately and expire on January 1, 2028.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that any general acute care hospital in New Jersey, when performing a urine drug screening to help diagnose a patient, must also test for fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that has contributed significantly to the ongoing opioid epidemic due to its frequent adulteration of other illicit drugs, leading to increased overdose deaths. The bill defines "urine drug screening" as a test for multiple drugs, including but not limited to cocaine, opioids, and phencyclidine, and requires the addition of a fentanyl test to these screenings. This measure is intended to help prevent overdose deaths by ensuring patients exposed to fentanyl, intentionally or unintentionally, receive appropriate treatment, and it will be in effect immediately until January 1, 2028.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S800 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/800_I1.HTM |
Loading...