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.
NEW 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.
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
