Bill
Bill > A3680
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 that performs a urine drug screening to help diagnose a patient must now include a test for fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that has contributed significantly to the ongoing opioid epidemic due to its potency and frequent adulteration of other drugs. Currently, these screenings typically test for substances like cocaine and certain opioids but not fentanyl, and the bill aims to prevent overdose deaths by ensuring patients exposed to fentanyl, intentionally or unintentionally, receive appropriate treatment. This new requirement will be in effect immediately but will expire on January 1, 2028.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3680 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4000/3680_I1.HTM |
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