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OLR Bill Analysis
SB 1011 (File 295, as amended by Senate "A")*
AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF OPIOID ANTAGONISTS AND
EPINEPHRINE CARTRIDGE INJECTORS BY POLICE OFFICERS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires law enforcement units to (1) require their police
officers to be trained in using opioid antagonists (e.g., Narcan) and (2)
acquire and maintain a supply of these medications for use by their
police officers when responding to a medical emergency. A police
officer who completes the training must be permitted to carry opioid
antagonists and administer them to an individual whom the officer
believes in good faith is experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose.
The bill also requires the Police Officer Standards and Training
Council (POST), in consultation with the Department of Emergency
Services and Public Protection and Department of Public Health, to
convene a working group to study the feasibility of requiring police
officers to carry epinephrine cartridge injectors (e.g., Epi-Pens) and
administer them to an individual whom the officer believes in good
faith is experiencing anaphylaxis.
*Senate Amendment “A” (1) removes requirements concerning
epinephrine cartridge injectors that were similar to those for opioid
antagonists under the bill, (2) deletes a provision granting immunity
from civil and criminal liability to certain officers who provide or
administer an injector, and (3) adds the working group.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
POST WORKING GROUP
Under the bill, the working group must at least:
1. determine whether the need for such a requirement exists by
examining data on the use of these injectors by police officers 2021SB-01011-R01-BA.DOCX
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and other first responders and balancing the potential public
benefit with the potential impact to officers and law
enforcement units;
2. address issues associated with such a requirement, including
the cost of implementation and training police officers in the
administration of the injectors; and
3. consult a medical expert about the shelf life and safe storage
practices of the injectors.
Under the bill, if the working group determines the need for such a
requirement exists, it must make recommendations for legislation
about implementation. POST must submit a report on the working
group’s findings and recommendations to the Public Safety and
Security Committee by January 1, 2023. The working group must
terminate on the date the report is submitted or January 1, 2023,
whichever is later.
BACKGROUND
Definitions
By law and under the bill, a “law enforcement unit” is any state or
municipal agency or department (or tribal agency or department
created and governed under a memorandum of agreement) whose
primary functions include enforcing criminal or traffic laws;
preserving public order; protecting life and property; or preventing,
detecting, or investigating crime (CGS § 7-294a).
“Police officers” are sworn members of an organized local police
department or the State Police; appointed constables who perform
criminal law enforcement duties; special police officers appointed
under law (e.g., those appointed to investigate public assistance fraud);
or any members of a law enforcement unit who perform police duties
(CGS § 7-294a).
“Opioid antagonist” is naloxone hydrochloride (e.g., Narcan) or any
other similarly acting and equally safe drug that the Food and Drug
Administration has approved for treating a drug overdose (CGS § 17a- 2021SB-01011-R01-BA.DOCX
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714a).
“Epinephrine cartridge injector” is an automatic, prefilled cartridge
injector or similar automatic injectable equipment (e.g., Epi-Pens) used
to deliver epinephrine in a standard dose for an emergency first aid
response to allergic reactions (CGS § 19a-909).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Safety and Security Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 25 Nay 0 (03/18/2021)
Appropriations Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 47 Nay 2 (05/17/2021)