Provides that when informational cards or sheets about opioid antagonists are distributed, such information shall include information about fentanyl strips and their uses.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5004
SPONSOR: Hyndman 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 reauires 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 cn the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5004
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 27, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HYNDMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the distribution
of information about fentanyl test strips and their uses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 3-a of section 3309 of
2 the public health law, as amended by chapter 504 of the laws of 2019, is
3 amended to read as follows:
4 Any distribution of opioid antagonists through this program shall
5 include an informational card or sheet, and fentanyl test strips. The
6 informational card or sheet shall include, at a minimum, information on:
7 § 2. Paragraphs (e) and (f) of subdivision 3-a of section 3309 of the
8 public health law, as amended by chapter 504 of the laws of 2019, are
9 amended and a new paragraph (g) is added to read as follows:
10 (e) the application of good samaritan protections provided in section
11 three thousand-a of this chapter; [and]
12 (f) any other information deemed relevant by the commissioner[.]; and
13 (g) information about fentanyl test strips and their uses.
14 § 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
15 have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07343-02-3
