BILL NUMBER: S8569
SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law and the mental hygiene law, in
relation to dispensing certain individuals with opioid reversal drugs
upon discharge
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
(b) Upon discharge of an individual who appears to be at risk for a
substance use disorder, such hospital shall dispense at least two doses
of opioid reversal drugs.
(o)Upon discharge from an inpatient facility operated or licensed by the
office of alcoholism and substance abuse services or the office of
mental health, a patient who appears to be at risk for a substance use
disorder shall be dispensed at least two doses of opioid reversal drugs.
 
PURPOSE AND JUSTIFICATION:
Under current law, hospitals or substance use treatment facilities are
recommended to inform an individual upon discharge of the availability
of opioid reversal drugs and have the option to prescribe them to a
patient.
This legislation would simply require a hospital or substance use treat-
ment facility to prescribe or dispense at least two doses of opioid
reversal drugs to a patient upon discharge. By enacting this legis-
lation, New York State will increase access to lifesaving opioid
reversal drugs to those who are at risk for substance use disorder.
 
EXISTING LAW:
None.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8569: 2803-u public health law, 2803-u(3) public health law, 29.15 mental hygiene law