Bill

Bill > A1693


NJ A1693

NJ A1693
Requires institutions of higher education to maintain supply and develop policy governing use of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for opioid overdose emergencies.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires institutions of higher education to maintain a supply of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for opioid overdose emergencies and permits emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray by licensed campus medical professionals and designated members of the higher education community. Under the bill, institutions of higher education would obtain a supply of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray pursuant to a standing order issued by a health care practitioner to be maintained in secure and easily accessible locations throughout the campus to respond to an opioid overdose emergency. Institutions also would be required to develop a policy concerning the emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for opioid overdose emergencies occurring on campus. The policy would be required to: (1) designate a licensed campus medical professional to oversee the institution's program for the maintenance and emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray on campus; (2) permit a licensed campus medical professional to designate members of the higher education community to administer naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray to any person whom the member in good faith believes is experiencing an opioid overdose on campus; and (3) require the transportation of an overdose victim to a hospital emergency room by emergency services personnel after the administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, even if the person's symptoms appear to have resolved. A member of the higher education community designated to administer naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray by a licensed campus medical professional would only be authorized to administer the spray after receiving required training. The bill also directs the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services and appropriate medical experts, to establish guidelines for the development of a policy by an institution of higher education for the emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray. Institutions of higher education would be required to implement the guidelines in developing a policy pursuant to the substitute. Specifically, the guidelines would include a requirement that a licensed campus medical professional and members of the higher education community designated by the licensed campus medical professional receive training on standard protocols for the emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray to a person experiencing an opioid overdose on campus. The guidelines would further specify an appropriate entity or entities to provide the training. The bill provides immunity from liability for licensed campus medical professionals, designated members of the higher education community, pharmacists, or authorized health care practitioners who issue a standing order for naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray to an institution of higher education for any good faith act or omission consistent with the provisions of the bill. The bill also provides that in the event that a licensed athletic trainer, who is designated to administer naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, administers the spray, it will not constitute a violation of the "Athletic Training Licensure Act."

AI Summary

This bill mandates that institutions of higher education, which include public and independent colleges and universities, must keep a supply of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, a medication approved by the FDA to reverse opioid overdoses, readily available on campus. This supply will be obtained through a standing order from a healthcare practitioner and stored in secure, easily accessible locations. Furthermore, these institutions are required to develop a policy, guided by the Secretary of Higher Education in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services and medical experts, for the emergency administration of this nasal spray. This policy must designate a licensed campus medical professional (such as a doctor, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse employed by the institution) to oversee the program. This professional can then authorize trained members of the campus community, including resident assistants (student helpers in dorms), emergency responders, campus security, and licensed athletic trainers, to administer naloxone to anyone they reasonably believe is experiencing an opioid overdose. Crucially, after naloxone is administered, the overdose victim must be transported to a hospital emergency room by emergency services, even if they appear to have recovered. The bill also grants immunity from liability to healthcare professionals and designated campus personnel for good faith actions taken while administering naloxone, provided it doesn't involve willful misconduct, gross negligence, or recklessness, and clarifies that a licensed athletic trainer administering naloxone will not violate the Athletic Training Licensure Act.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (11)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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