BILL NUMBER: S4393
SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the distribution
of information about fentanyl test strips and their uses
 
PURPOSE:
This bill requires fentanyl test strips, as well as an informational
card about fentanyl test strips and their uses, to be included in opioid
antagonist distribution within opioid overdose prevention programs
through the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 3-a of section 3309 of
the public health law, as amended by chapter 504 of the laws of 2019, is
amended to require fentanyl test strips to be included in any distrib-
ution of opioid antagonists as part of opioid overdose prevention
program (s) through the Commissioner of the New York State Department of
Health.
Section 2. Paragraphs (e) and (f) of subdivision 3-a of section 3309 of
the public health law, as amended by chapter 504 of the laws of 2019,
are amended and a new paragraph (g) is added to require informational
cards regarding fentanyl test strips and their uses to be in included in
any opioid antagonist distribution as part of opioid overdose prevention
program (s) through the Commissioner of the New York State Department of
Health.
Section 3. Is the enacting clause.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The U.S. Department of Justice classifies fentanyl as being amongst the
deadliest drugs in the nation. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is
50-60 times stronger than morphine. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl test strips serve as a low-cost
harm reduction strategy that aids in the prevention of drug overdoses.
Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that can detect the pres-
ence of fentanyl in various drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin,
etc.). This measure would assist in expanding access to fentanyl test
strips as well as inforMation on how to use them as part of the State
Department of Health's opioid overdose prevention programs.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.