DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Moreno HB No. 754
Abstract: Authorizes first responders to carry naloxone and administer it to a third party who is
undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose.
Proposed law defines "first responder" as any of the following:
(1)Any full-time employee of the state, a municipality, a sheriff, or other public agency,
whose permanent duties actually include the making of arrests, the performing of
searches and seizures, or the execution of criminal warrants, and is responsible for the
prevention or detection of crime or for the enforcement of the penal, traffic, or highway
laws of this state, but not including any elected or appointed head of a law enforcement
department.
(2)A firefighter regularly employed by a fire department of any municipality, parish, or fire
protection district of the state of Louisiana, or any volunteer fireman of the state of
Louisiana.
(3)An EMS practitioner licensed pursuant to the laws of this state.
Proposed law defines "opioid-related drug overdose" as a condition including extreme physical
illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or the ceasing of
respiratory or circulatory function resulting from the consumption or use of an opioid, or another
substance with which an opioid was combined.
Proposed law authorizes a first responder to receive a prescription for naloxone or another opioid
antagonist, maintain the naloxone or other opioid antagonist in the first responder's possession,
and administer the naloxone or another opioid antagonist to any individual who is undergoing or
who is believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose.
Proposed law requires a first responder, before receiving a prescription for naloxone or another
opioid antagonist, to complete the training necessary to safely and properly administer naloxone
or another opioid antagonist to individuals who are undergoing or who are believed to be
undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose.
Proposed law requires the training, at a minimum, to cover all of the following:
(1)Techniques on how to recognize symptoms of an opioid-related overdose. (2)Standards and procedures for the storage and administration of naloxone or another
opioid antagonist.
(3)Emergency follow-up procedures.
Proposed law requires the first responder to keep a record of each instance in which the first
responder administers naloxone or another opioid antagonist to an individual who is undergoing
or who is believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose.
Proposed law authorizes a law enforcement agency or fire department to enter into a written
agreement to affiliate with an ambulance service provider or a physician for all of the following
purposes:
(1)Obtaining a supply of naloxone or another opioid antagonist.
(2)Allowing law enforcement officers and firefighters to obtain the training necessary to
safely and properly administer naloxone or another opioid antagonist to individuals who
are undergoing or who are believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose.
Proposed law provides immunity from civil liability, criminal prosecution, or disciplinary or
other adverse action under any professional licensing statute to a first responder who, reasonably
believing another person to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose, administers naloxone
or another opioid antagonist to that person for any outcomes resulting from the administration of
the naloxone or another opioid antagonist to that person, unless personal injury results from the
gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct of the first responder administering the drug.
Proposed law requires the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections to develop and promulgate a
set of best practices for use by a fire department or law enforcement agency in the administration
and enforcement of proposed law including but not limited to the training necessary to safely and
properly administer naloxone or another opioid antagonist to individuals who are undergoing or
who are believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose, the standards and procedures
for the storage and administration of naloxone or another opioid antagonist, and emergency
follow-up procedures.
(Adds R.S. 40:978.1)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Made technical changes.
2. Required first responders to receive training prior to receiving a prescription for
naloxone. 3. Required the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections to promulgate a set of best
practices.