BILL NUMBER: S9221
SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a
medetomidine, benzodiazepine, nitazenes, and/or other harmful contam-
inants test strip program
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 19.47 to read
as follows:
Section 1 establishes the program where individuals free of change may
receive medetomidine, benzodiazepine, and/or nitazenes test strips free
of charge at hospital emergency rooms, addiction treatment facilities,
facilities for substance use disorder programs, homeless shelters,
urgent care centers, mobile medication units, and treatment facilities.
This section states that individuals shall not be targeted by law
enforcement when obtaining test strips and establishes that a public
awareness and education campaign be conducted to educate the public on
the dangers of medetomidine, benzodiazepine, nitazenes, and/or other
harmful contaminants.
Section 2 establishes an effective date.
 
PURPOSE AND JUSTIFICATION:
Evidence suggests that as fentanyl saturation in the illicit supply
increases, preference for more potent substances among people who use
drugs also increases. This preference for a more potent supply is often
willingly met by illicit suppliers, who seek to differentiate their
supply in novel ways. Adulterants can be added to increase potency,
achieve synergistic effects, or to drive profit (adulterating a supply
with a cheaper alternative).
According to NYSDOH drug checking data, there has been a rise in known
adulterants to the fentanyl and opioid supply. In samples expected to
contain opioids, 25% contained Medetomidine (a tranquilizer) and 16%
contained Benzodiazepines.
Nitazenes are a class of extremely potent opioids with a different chem-
ical structure than fentanyl. Nitazenes are generally considered to be
more potent than fentanyl, but due to their distinct chemical structure,
they are not reliably identified by existing fentanyl testing strips.
As the overdose crisis evolves, we must adapt our approach. Expanding
our drug-testing focus (currently limited to fentanyl and xylazine
contamination in the supply) to include emerging and prospective adul-
terants allows us to more nimbly respond to the crisis.
On June 3rd, 2025, Dr. Kimberly Boulden (Director of Operations for
MATTERS) testified before the New York State Assembly Alcoholism &
Substance Abuse Committee and recommended this legislation.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it becomes law