AMEDORE BILL TO ALLOW LIBRARIES TO MAINTAIN NARCAN IS SIGNED INTO LAW

Senator George Amedore, co-Chair of the New York State Senate Task Force on Heroin Addiction and Opioid Abuse, today announced that Governor Cuomo signed into law a bill he sponsored (S.7860) to allow public libraries to maintain and administer opioid antagonists, such as narcan, for the treatment of overdoses.

“Narcan can be the difference between life and death for someone experiencing an overdose, so it’s important that it’s readily available,” said Senator George Amedore.  “Libraries are gathering centers for a community, so it is common sense that they be prepared in case they are faced with this type of emergency. I am glad Governor Cuomo took swift action in signing this proposal into law, because it will save lives.”

"We are extremely grateful for Senator Amedore's continued dedication to our state's public libraries, and applaud his leadership on this pressing public health issue," said Mike Neppl, General Counsel and Director of Government Relations, New York Library Association.

Chapter 57 of the laws of 2015 expanded access to opioid antagonists and provided schools and certain educational institutions the authority to maintain and administer opioid antagonists in the event of an emergency. This bill amends that previous law to also authorize public libraries to do so.

In order to administer the narcan, individuals and library personnel would be required to be trained by a DOH approved program.

The legislation passed the Senate unanimously, and with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Assembly, earlier this year. The new law goes into effect immediately.

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