This bill amends current law to require that controlled dangerous substances seized by law enforcement officers be tested for the presence of xylazine, in addition to fentanyl. The testing protocols will be established by the Division of State Police, and any findings related to the presence of xylazine or fentanyl must be reported to the Attorney General. The bill also mandates that the information collected from these tests be compiled into a database accessible to all law enforcement agencies in New Jersey, ensuring that it is continuously updated with the latest data on these substances.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the Division of State Police must submit information regarding the presence of xylazine and fentanyl in illegal substances to the Department of Health. This data will be included in the New Jersey State Assessment Data System and the Overdose Data Dashboard maintained by the Center for Health Statistics and Informatics. The inclusion of xylazine in monitoring efforts is significant, as it has been increasingly found in illegal drugs, particularly opioids, despite being an animal sedative not approved for human use.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:17B-246