Eliminates criminal and civil penalties for possession of controlled substances; establishes the drug decriminalization task force to develop recommendations for reforming state laws, regulations and practices so that they align with the stated goal of treating substance use disorder as a disease, rather than a criminal behavior.
Relates to pretrial mental health and substance abuse evaluations and treatment for certain defendants; establishes the pretrial mental health and substance abuse services bail fund.
S 2331 removes buprenorphine from the legal definitions of "controlled substance" and "narcotic preparation" under New York's penal law. This change means possessing buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid use disorder) will no longer be treated as a criminal offense under these specific provisions. The bill amends two sections of the penal law to exclude buprenorphine from lists that previously carried criminal penalties for possession. It will take effect on November 1, 2025.
This bill establishes a legal framework for safe injection sites in New York, creating a program approved by the Department of Health to provide overdose prevention services. It directly affects people who use drugs (participants), community health organizations operating the sites, and local communities through designated locations. Key provisions require sites to offer sterile equipment, overdose monitoring, naloxone access, referrals to treatment, and language-accessible education, while mandating annual reporting on participant numbers and services. The bill also provides legal immunity from arrest or penalties for participants, staff, and property owners who follow approved protocols, ensuring these sites operate without criminal or civil liability.
Bill S 7444 establishes a crisis intervention demonstration program, primarily in cities with a population of one million or more, to assist law enforcement officers in responding to situations involving individuals with mental illness or substance abuse issues. It creates a Crisis Intervention Team Training Program Coordinator to coordinate specialized training for first responders and foster partnerships between law enforcement, mental health providers, and communities. The bill also establishes a Crisis Intervention Team Training Fund, supported by state and other moneys, to finance the training and community coordination efforts, and an advisory committee to oversee the program and make recommendations.
This bill authorizes paramedics to administer buprenorphine - a medication used to treat opioid overdoses - after receiving naloxone, following specific protocols. It requires the health commissioner to develop a training program for paramedics, which must include physician authorization and patient consent before administration. Paramedics who complete the training will be permitted to carry and administer buprenorphine during suspected overdose emergencies. The law directly affects emergency medical service paramedics in New York, creating a structured pathway for expanded overdose response.
This bill requires non-governmental employers who must provide first aid kits under federal law to include an opioid reversal medication (like naloxone) in those kits. It directly affects private businesses and workplaces subject to federal first aid kit requirements, such as construction sites or manufacturing facilities. The law mandates adding this medication to existing first aid supplies without creating new requirements for kit provision. It does not apply to government agencies or workplaces not federally mandated to have first aid kits. The bill focuses solely on updating existing federal first aid kit standards to include life-saving opioid reversal medication.
Authorizes schools to possess and administer FDA approved opioid reversal agents in emergency situations to negate or neutralize, in whole or in part, the pharmacological effects of an opioid in the human body.
S 3452 allows criminal cases involving eligible veterans to be transferred to a veterans treatment court within the same county or an adjacent county, expanding access for veterans facing charges in areas without such courts. The transfer requires the veteran's request, court approval, and the district attorney's consent, following a model used in drug courts. This change would immediately more than double the number of counties where veterans can access specialized treatment programs addressing underlying issues like mental health or substance abuse. The bill applies to pending felony cases in local criminal courts and aims to broaden New York's existing network of 20 veterans treatment courts.
This bill requires nightlife venues, sports centers, theaters, concert halls, and amusement parks to maintain an unexpired supply of opioid antagonist nasal spray and have at least two staff members trained in identifying opioid overdoses and administering the medication during operations. These requirements are established through new public health guidelines under state law. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment, focusing on improving immediate response to opioid overdoses in high-traffic public spaces.
