Bill > S2321

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 pursuant to the "Overdose Prevention Act," P.L.2013, c.46 (C.24:6J-1 et seq.), or from a pharmacist 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. 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. The bill provides immunity from liability for public libraries, librarians, library employees, pharmacists, and prescribers of opioid antidotes for libraries, for good faith acts or omissions consistent with the bill's provisions. In addition, the bill amends the "Overdose Prevention Act" to: (1) include public libraries among the recipients that may be prescribed opioid antidotes through a standing order; and (2) provide that immunity from liability for opioid antidote administration in accordance with the "Overdose Prevention Act" will be applicable to public libraries, librarians, and library employees who administer, or permit the administration of, opioid antidotes in good faith under the provisions of the bill.

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Joe Cryan (D)*,  Tom Kean (R)*,  Joe Vitale (D), 

Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee (on 08/23/2019)