A07517 Summary:
BILL NO | A07517 |
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SAME AS | No Same As |
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SPONSOR | Griffin |
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COSPNSR | |
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MLTSPNSR | |
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Amd §3309, Pub Health L | |
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Requires vehicles operated by public transit authorities to contain opioid antagonists and for public transit authorities to train employees on the proper use of opioid antagonists. |
A07517 Memo:
Go to topNEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)   BILL NUMBER: A7517 SPONSOR: Griffin
  TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring vehicles operated by public transit authorities to contain opioid antagonists   PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: The purpose of this bill is to require vehicles bperated.by public tran- sit authorities to contain opioid antagonists and for employees to be trained on use.   SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 1 amends subparagraph (v) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of section 3309 of the public health law and adds a new subparagraph (vii) to define public transit authorities as "entities" for purposes of the law requiring certain entities to stock opioid antagonists. Section 2 also amends section 3309 of the public health law by adding a requirement that public transit authority vehicles carry opioid antag- onists and that employees are trained on the proper use.   JUSTIFICATION: Currently vehicles operated by public transit authorities do not contain opioid antagonist nor do the employees have training in the adminis- tration of them. Opioid antagonists are medications that block the effects of opioids and can help treat an overdose. Having public transit vehicles equipped with trained personnel and opioid antagonists on hand, would help to combat the overdose crisis we are facing. This simple step would cut down on overdose deaths occurring on our public transit system. Overdoses on public transit systems around the United States, notably in major cities like Chicago, Seattle, and New York, have increased as a result of the current opioid crisis. Opioid overdoses are increasingly prevalent at public transportation hubs, which frequent millions of commuters and visitors each year. According to the New York State Comptroller's Office, New York's opioid overdose death rates exceeded national rates in both 2020 and 2021. Opioid overdose deaths increased 38 percent nationally and 44 percent in New York during those two years. Supplying Narcan in public transportation terminals and equipping transit staff with this life-saving drug is an essential public health measure since opioid antagonists can quickly reverse opioid overdoses if given in a timely manner. Several states including Illinois, Washington, Massachusetts, and California have already imple- mented similar regulations after finding that prompt action can dras- tically lower the number of fatalities. This law aims to address the pressing need for easily accessible overdose reversal treatment in high- risk areas by ensuring Narcan's availability on public transportation, as well as training staff personnel to administer the medication.   PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: A10715 of 2023/2024: Referred to Health   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: The cost of stocking public transit vehicles with opioid antagonists and training employees is to be determined. However, preventing overdose deaths will result in a cost savings to the state.   EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become law.
A07517 Text:
Go to top STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 7517 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY April 1, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. GRIFFIN -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Health AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring vehicles operated by public transit authorities to contain opioid antagonists The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Subparagraph (v) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of 2 section 3309 of the public health law, as added by chapter 148 of the 3 laws of 2020, is amended and a new subparagraph (vii) is added to read 4 as follows: 5 (v) As used in this section, "entity" includes, but is not limited to, 6 a school district, public library, board of cooperative educational 7 services, county vocational education and extension board, charter 8 school, non-public elementary or secondary school, restaurant, bar, 9 retail store, shopping mall, barber shop, beauty parlor, theater, sport- 10 ing or event center, public transit authority, inn, hotel or motel. 11 (vii) As used in this section, "public transit authority" means a 12 public authority established under the public authorities law which 13 provides transportation services. 14 § 2. Section 3309 of the public health law is amended by adding a new 15 subdivision 10 to read as follows: 16 10. Every vehicle operated by a public transit authority shall contain 17 an opioid antagonist. Public transit authorities shall provide train- 18 ing, approved by the commissioner, to employees on the proper use of an 19 opioid antagonist. 20 § 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall 21 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment 22 and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation 23 of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and 24 completed on or before such effective date. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD07971-01-5