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:
<ins>"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
</ins>
<ins>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."
</ins> SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.