BILL NUMBER: S5922A
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to requiring employers to
include an opioid antagonist in first aid supplies required by federal
law
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
To require that opioid antagonists are included in First Aid materials
in workplaces that are federally mandated by the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration to have First Aid kits.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section one of this bill amends the Labor law by adding a new Section
27-F requiring First Aid materials in a workplace to include an opioid
antagonist.
Section two provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
The term "opioid" refers to a variety of substances that include both
prescription medications and illegal drugs. Opioids are highly addictive
and carry transversal risks which can damage an individual's health
status (NIDA, 2024). In New York, opioid overdose deaths have increased
more than 360% from 1,074 deaths in 2010 to 5,017 deaths in 2021, with a
sharp increase of 70.7% from 2,939 deaths in 2019 (Department of Health,
New York State Opioid Annual Report, 2023). Additionally, workplace
surveys highlighted how over 70% of employers have found opioids to be
detrimental to the working environment (National Safety Council).
Indeed, opioid misuse or abuse can lead to work-related injuries or
illnesses, chronic medical conditions, over-prescription in employee
health services or health plans, and over-prescription in workers'
compensation medical care (CDC, NIOSH, 2025). In September 2024, Cali-
fornia enacted a law requiring the California Division of Occupational
Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) to submit a draft regulation demanding that
First Aid kits in the workplace contain the nasal spray naloxone hydro-
chloride (California State Assembly, AB. 1976, 2024). New York's growing
opioid epidemic underscores the need for protective meas ures like this
bill, which would require certain workplaces to include opioid antag-
onists in their First Aid kits. This bill is crucial for enhancing work-
place and community safety in New York.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
The act shall take effect 180 days after it shall have become law.