Training and agreements for administering the drug naloxone, requiring emergency medical technicians to carry naloxone, and immunity for certain individuals who administer naloxone. (FE)

2) Licensing emergency medical technicians (EMTs), who are individuals that may provide emergency medical services ranging from basic life support and patient handling and transportation to emergency cardiac, trauma, and other lifesaving or emergency procedures, depending on the level of EMT licensure. Current law specifies three levels of EMT licensure, known as EMT - basic, EMT - intermediate, and EMT - paramedic (advanced). In order to become licensed as an EMT, an individual must satisfy certain criteria, including obtaining training commensurate with the level of EMT licensure that is sought. EMTs may, under current law, undertake only those actions that are authorized in rules promulgated by DHS for their level of licensure.

This bill provides that certified first responders may administer the drug naloxone if they have received training necessary to safely administer naloxone, as determined by DHS. Naloxone is a prescription drug which, when administered to a person undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose, can have the effect of countering the effects of the overdose. The bill also requires that DHS permit EMTs at all levels of licensure to administer naloxone to individuals who are undergoing or who are believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose. DHS must, under the bill, require EMTs to undergo any training necessary to safely and properly administer naloxone. The bill also requires each EMT so trained to, at all times when performing his or her duties as an emergency medical technician, carry or have available for administration a supply of naloxone.

In addition, the bill allows a law enforcement agency or fire department to enter into a written agreement to affiliate with an ambulance service provider or a physician for the purposes of: 1) obtaining a supply of naloxone; and 2) allowing law enforcement officers and fire fighters to obtain the training necessary to safely and properly administer naloxone to individuals who are undergoing or who are believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose. The bill provides that a law enforcement officer or fire fighter who, acting in good faith, administers naloxone to an individual whom the officer or fire fighter reasonably believes to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose may not be subject to any criminal or civil liability in connection with administering naloxone to the individual, if the law enforcement officer or fire fighter is acting pursuant to a written agreement described above.