Texas Senate Bill SB2378

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/12/25

Caption

Relating to a report on governmental opioid antagonist programs to reverse and prevent opioid overdoses.

Impact

The legislation requires the Commission to establish state goals for the saturation of opioid antagonists, employing methods to determine supply inadequacies. This is expected to facilitate strategic improvements in the accessibility of opioid antagonists, particularly targeting vulnerable populations such as school-aged children, pregnant women, and residents in rural areas. By creating a structured framework for reporting and evaluating these programs, SB2378 aims to bolster the efficacy of existing health initiatives in combating opioid overdoses.

Summary

Senate Bill 2378 mandates the Texas Commission to produce a biennial report focused on opioid antagonist programs aimed at reversing and preventing opioid overdoses. This report will assess the distribution and availability of opioid antagonists throughout Texas, including a needs assessment for existing state programs and funding sources. The intention behind this legislation is to enhance the state's response to the opioid crisis by identifying gaps in supply and delivery of these critical life-saving medications.

Contention

While details of debates around SB2378 are not currently available, issues related to opioid policies often attract varying viewpoints, particularly concerning the effectiveness of governmental programs versus community-based initiatives. Proponents of the bill are likely to argue for its potential to save lives and enhance public health strategies, while some critics may question the execution and impact of state-level oversight in addressing localized issues effectively.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Health And Safety Code

• Chapter 461a. Department Of State Health Services: Chemical Dependency Services And Related Programs
  • Section: New Section