---
title: SB 450. State Public Library Activities; the possession of opioid antagonists in public libraries; authorize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sb450
cite_as: SB 450, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb450
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb450.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb450/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72714
date: 2026-02-03
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 95
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb450.md?full=1
bill_number: SB 450
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-02-02
last_action: Senate Read and Referred
sponsors:
- Kenya Wicks
- Clint Dixon
- Sonya Halpern
- Nikki Merritt
- Kim Jackson
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB450/2025
upstream_id: 2104370
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- opioid overdose
- public libraries
- naloxone
- public health
- liability immunity
---
# SB 450. State Public Library Activities; the possession of opioid antagonists in public libraries; authorize
## Text
Senate Bill 450
By: Senators Wicks of the 34th, Dixon of the 45th, Halpern of the 39th, Merritt of the 9th
and Jackson of the 41st
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to state public library activities, so as to authorize the possession of opioid
antagonists in public libraries; to define a term; to authorize public libraries to maintain a
supply of opioid antagonists; to authorize public library personnel to administer opioid
antagonists and carry opioid antagonists on their person; to provide for immunity; to provide
for activation of the emergency medical services system and notification of emergency
contacts; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state
public library activities, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"20-5-6.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'opioid antagonist' means a drug that binds to
opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effect of opioids acting on those receptors,
including, but not limited to, naloxone, hydrochloride, or any other similarly acting drug
that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of an opioid
related overdose.
(b) No visitor or public library employee shall be prohibited from possessing an opioid
antagonist at a public library or on public library property.
(c) All public libraries shall acquire and maintain a supply of opioid antagonists in any
secure location where an individual may have an opioid overdose; provided, however, that,
if there occurs a shortage of opioid antagonists, the public libraries shall make a reasonable
effort to maintain a supply of opioid antagonists. Any such supply shall be maintained in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(d) Any public library personnel may administer an opioid antagonist to any person who
the public library personnel believes in good faith to be experiencing an opioid overdose:
(1) While at a public library or on public library property; or
(2) While under the supervision of public library personnel.
(e) Public library personnel shall be authorized to carry an opioid antagonist on his or her
person while at a public library or on public library property.
(f) Any public library personnel who in good faith administers or chooses not to administer
an opioid antagonist pursuant to this Code section shall be immune from civil liability or
professional discipline for any act or omission to act related to the administration of an
opioid antagonist, except that such immunity shall not apply to an act of willful or wanton
misconduct.
(g) Upon the administration of any opioid antagonist pursuant to this Code section, the
public library shall immediately activate the emergency medical services system and notify
the visitor's parent, guardian, or emergency contact or notify such other individual's
emergency contact, if known."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
A Georgia Senate bill would let public libraries stock opioid overdose reversal drugs like naloxone and allow library staff to carry and administer them, with legal protection for staff who act in good faith.
### Plain-language summary
Currently, Georgia law does not specifically address whether public libraries can keep or use opioid antagonists, drugs like naloxone that reverse opioid overdoses. This bill adds a new section to Georgia's public library law (O.C.G.A. Title 20, Chapter 5) to fill that gap.
The bill says no visitor or library employee can be barred from possessing an opioid antagonist on library property. It requires public libraries to keep a supply of these drugs in a secure location, unless there is a shortage, in which case libraries must make a reasonable effort. Library staff may administer the drug to anyone they believe in good faith is overdosing, and may carry it on their person while at the library. Staff who administer or choose not to administer the drug are protected from civil lawsuits and professional discipline unless their conduct was willful or wanton misconduct. After giving the drug, the library must immediately call emergency medical services and notify the person's emergency contact.
### What it does
- Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. ยง 20-5-6) letting anyone possess an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone, at a public library or on library property.
- Requires public libraries to keep a supply of opioid antagonists in a secure location, with a reasonable-effort exception during drug shortages.
- Authorizes library staff to give opioid antagonists to anyone they believe in good faith is overdosing on opioids, and to carry the drug on their person.
- Grants library staff immunity from civil lawsuits or professional discipline for administering or not administering the drug, except in cases of willful or wanton misconduct.
- Requires the library to immediately call emergency medical services and notify the person's emergency contact after the drug is given.
### Who it affects
Public libraries and their staff across Georgia, who would be required to stock overdose reversal drugs and would be authorized (and legally protected) to administer them; library visitors, who could carry or receive the drug during an overdose; and emergency medical services, which libraries must contact after any use.
### Why it matters
If someone overdoses on opioids inside a Georgia public library, staff could respond immediately with naloxone instead of waiting for paramedics, potentially saving a life. Libraries would take on a new responsibility to stock and manage these drugs, and staff would gain legal protection for acting in good faith during an emergency.
### Key provisions
- Section 1 defines 'opioid antagonist' broadly to include naloxone, hydrochloride, or any similar FDA-approved overdose treatment drug.
- Section 1 bars libraries from prohibiting visitors or employees from possessing an opioid antagonist on library property.
- Section 1 requires libraries to acquire and maintain a supply of the drug in a secure location, following manufacturer instructions.
- Section 1 authorizes library personnel to administer the drug to anyone believed in good faith to be overdosing, whether at the library or under staff supervision elsewhere.
- Section 1 grants immunity from civil liability and professional discipline for good-faith action or inaction, excluding willful or wanton misconduct.
- Section 1 requires the library to activate emergency medical services and notify the overdosing person's emergency contact immediately after administering the drug.
- Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2026-02-02)
- Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2026-02-03)
- Sponsors: Kenya Wicks, Clint Dixon, Sonya Halpern, Nikki Merritt, Kim Jackson
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72714
> The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb450.md?full=1