Researcher: RP Page 1 4/3/23
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 1163
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE USE OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS
TO PROVIDE MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICERS WITH OPIOID
ANTAGONISTS.
SUMMARY
This bill expands the purposes for which the Opioid Settlement Fund
may be used to include providing funds to municipal police
departments to equip officers with opioid antagonists. Under the bill,
priority for these funds must be given to departments that do not
currently have a supply of them.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2023
BACKGROUND
Opioid Settlement Fund
The Opioid Settlement Fund is a separate, non-lapsing fund
established to contain moneys the state receives from certain opioid-
related judgments, consent decrees, or settlements that are intended to
address opioid use, related disorders, or the impact of the opioid crisis.
It is administered by a 37-member advisory committee, with assistance
from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which
must ensure (1) that the funds are allocated and spent on specified
substance use disorder abatement purposes and (2) robust public
involvement, accountability, and transparency in allocating the funds.
By law, the funds may be used only in accordance with the
controlling judgment, consent decree, or settlement, as confirmed by the
attorney general and after the committee’s and the Office of Policy and
Management secretary’s approval. Government and nonprofit entities
are eligible to receive funding for specified purposes. Generally, the
funds may only be allocated to municipalities with an agreement to 2023SB-01163-R000392-BA.DOCX
Researcher: RP Page 2 4/3/23
participate in the settlement and follow its terms. However, it does not
preclude or limit an allocation or disbursement to benefit residents
within a municipality that does not execute an agreement or adhere to
an agreement’s terms.
Related Bills
sHB 6696 (File 92), favorably reported by the General Law
Committee, requires pharmacists to provide patients, when dispensing
an opioid drug to them, a free personal opioid drug deactivation and
disposal product if Opioid Settlement Fund moneys are available for
this purpose.
sHB 6698 (File 187), favorably reported by the General Law
Committee, authorizes the Opioid Settlement Fund to be used to pay for
a statewide peer navigator program for individuals with opioid use
disorder.
sHB 6718 (File 75), favorably reported by the Children’s Committee,
allocates $400,000 from the Opioid Settlement Fund to the Department
of Consumer Protection for FY 24 for costs related to producing
specified prescription drug and cannabis labels and stickers required
under the bill.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Safety and Security Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 25 Nay 0 (03/16/2023)