Bill Text: VA HJR653 | 2019 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Health, Department of; naloxone storage and access, report.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-05 - Left in Rules [HJR653 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HJR653-Prefiled.html
WHEREAS, the United States is experiencing a growing opioid epidemic, resulting in an alarming rise of opioid-related deaths; and
WHEREAS, naloxone is an antidote to opioid overdose, and timely administration of the drug can reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression; and
WHEREAS, naloxone is available in multiple dosage forms, including by nasal spray and injection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Department of Health be requested to study the feasibility of expanding naloxone access through the placement of naloxone in automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinets across the Commonwealth.
In conducting its study, the Virginia Department of Health shall (i) determine any current barriers to expanding naloxone availability through its placement in AED cabinets; (ii) propose potential solutions, as practicable, to current barriers to expanding naloxone availability through its placement in AED cabinets; and (iii) develop and implement a program to educate schools, hospitals, public institutions, and the general public regarding current requirements for storage of and access to naloxone.
All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Virginia Department of Health for this study, upon request.
The Virginia Department of Health shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2019, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2020 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.
