SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2015 SESSION

  • | print version

SB 1186 Naloxone; administration in cases of opiate overdose.

Introduced by: Mark D. Obenshain | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS ENACTED WITH GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION:

Naloxone; administration in cases of opiate overdose. Provides that a pharmacist may dispense naloxone or other opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal pursuant to an oral, written, or standing order issued by a prescriber and in accordance with protocols developed by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health, that a person may possess and administer naloxone or other opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal to a person who is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a life-threatening opiate overdose, and that firefighters and law-enforcement officers who have completed a training program may possess and administer naloxone in accordance with protocols developed by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health. The bill also provides that a person who in good faith prescribes, dispenses, or administers naloxone or other opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal in an emergency to an individual who is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a life-threatening opioid overdose shall not be liable for any civil damages for ordinary negligence in acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such treatment if acting in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-3408 or in his role as a member of an emergency medical services agency. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to HB 1458 and HB 1833.

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Naloxone; administration in cases of opiate overdose. Provides that a pharmacist may dispense naloxone or other opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal pursuant to an oral, written, or standing order in accordance with protocols developed by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health, that a person may possess and administer naloxone or other opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal to a person who is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a life-threatening opiate overdose, and that firefighters and law-enforcement officers who have completed a training program may possess and administer naloxone. The bill also provides that a person who in good faith prescribes, dispenses, or administers naloxone or other opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal in an emergency to an individual who is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a life-threatening opioid overdose shall not be liable for any civil damages for ordinary negligence in acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such treatment if acting in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-3408 or in his role as a member of an emergency medical services agency. This bill is identical to HB 1458.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Naloxone; administration in cases of opiate overdose. Allows a practitioner to prescribe naloxone to a patient for administration to a person other than the patient when the patient believes the person is experiencing or is about to experience a life-threatening opiate overdose and allows a person to possess naloxone and administer naloxone to a person experiencing or about to experience a life-threatening opiate overdose. The bill provides that under such circumstances (i) a person who administers naloxone to another person shall not be liable for civil damages and (ii) a prescriber shall not be civilly or criminally liable for injuries resulting from the prescription of naloxone to a patient for administration to another person. The bill also allows emergency medical services personnel and other first responders to possess and administer naloxone pursuant to a written order or standing protocol, and the bill provides that first responders and emergency medical services personnel who administer naloxone pursuant to a written order or standing protocol shall not be civilly or criminally liable for injuries resulting from the administration of naloxone.