This bill amends the Overdose Prevention Act to require county health departments to maintain a reserve stock of opioid antidotes for distribution to first responders, first response entities, schools, and hospital pharmacies. The quantity of antidotes stored will be determined by the county health department director in consultation with local law enforcement and emergency services. If any of these entities anticipate exhausting their supply of opioid antidotes, they can request an interim supply from the county health department, which is obligated to deliver an adequate quantity promptly until the requester receives their new supply.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions for "county health department," "first responder," and "first response entity," clarifying the roles of various stakeholders in opioid overdose response. It allows prescribers to issue standing orders for opioid antidotes to these entities and outlines legal protections for those who administer or dispense the antidotes in good faith. The bill also mandates reimbursement for the county health department from entities receiving interim supplies and allows for shared service agreements to acquire antidotes at discounted rates. Importantly, it provides immunity from criminal or civil liability for county health departments and their employees when supplying these interim antidotes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24:6J-3, 24:6J-4