Establishes the fentanyl abuse and overdose prevention task force to conduct a comprehensive study on fentanyl abuse and overdose prevention and to report on the findings and recommendations of the task force.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7169
SPONSOR: Lunsford TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to establishing the fentanyl abuse and overdose
prevention task force; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Establishes the Fentanyl Abuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Establishes the fentanyl abuse and overdose prevention task
force.
Section 2. Provides that the task force will contain sixteen members.
Section 3. Describes the duties and powers of the Task Force.
Section 4. Relates to the appointments and vacancies of the task force.
Section 5. Allows the task force to consult with various organizations
and government entities to assist in developing its report,
Section 6. Requires that the task force report its findings within one
year to the governor and legislature with the findings and recommenda-
tions for further action.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
JUSTIFICATION:
While pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid dispensed for treat-
ment of severe pain, most fentanyl overdose deaths are related to
opioids mixed with heroin or cocaine, often without the user's know-
ledge. Additionally, deadly amounts of fentanyl are often added to other
counterfeit pills being sold as xanax or oxycodone. These illegally made
drugs are sold on the drug market relatively cheaply, which is why so
many individuals with a substance use disorder can afford these drugs.
Overdose deaths involving these synthetic opioids has increased at an
alarming raze. The pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, and
though naloxone, which can overturn an overdose if caught in time, the
overdose deaths continue to rise.
The purpose of the Fentanyl Task Force is to examine current abuse and
overdose trends, discuss ways to expand awareness about the severity of
using fentanyl illegally, promote access and availability of treatment
for substance use disorders and examine the expansion and distribution
of naloxone.
The Task Force shall also prioritize, along with the District Attorney's
Association of New York State, the prosecution of fentanyl drug dealers,
especially those who provide these fentanyl-laced drugs to victims who
die from ingesting them.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Provides compensation for task force members' actual and necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and adequate fund-
ing shall be provided for the task force to carry out its powers and
duties.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately and shall expire 2 years after it shall
have become a law when upon such date the provision of this act shall be
deemed repealed.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7169
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 11, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. LUNSFORD -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT in relation to establishing the fentanyl abuse and overdose
prevention task force; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The legislature hereby establishes the fentanyl abuse and
2 overdose prevention task force, referred to hereinafter as the "task
3 force" to conduct a comprehensive study on fentanyl abuse and overdose
4 prevention and to report on the findings and recommendations of the task
5 force.
6 § 2. Such task force shall consist of sixteen members with demon-
7 strated experience in issues relating to the work of the task force.
8 The members of the task force shall be appointed as follows:
9 (a) three members shall be appointed by the governor;
10 (b) two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the
11 senate;
12 (c) two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
13 (d) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assem-
14 bly;
15 (e) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
16 senate;
17 (f) one member shall be the commissioner of health or their designee;
18 (g) one member shall be the commissioner of the office of mental
19 health or their designee;
20 (h) one member shall be the commissioner of the office of addiction
21 services and supports or their designee;
22 (i) one member shall be the president of the district attorney's asso-
23 ciation of the state of New York or their designee;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08371-01-3
A. 7169 2
1 (j) one member shall be the superintendent of the state police or
2 their designee;
3 (k) one member shall be the president of the New York state associ-
4 ation of counties or their designee; and
5 (l) one member shall be the president of the medical society of New
6 York state or their designee.
7 § 3. The task force shall be chaired by a member appointed by the
8 governor. The members of the task force shall elect a vice-chair and
9 other necessary officers from among all appointed members. A majority of
10 the members of the task force then in office shall constitute a quorum.
11 The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chair.
12 Meetings may be held via teleconference. Special meetings may be called
13 by the chair at the request of a majority of the members of the task
14 force. Members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their
15 services but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in
16 the performance of their duties in the work of the task force.
17 § 4. Appointments shall be made within 60 days of the effective date
18 of this act. Any vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be
19 filled in the same manner provided for in the initial appointment.
20 § 5. The task force may consult with any organization, government
21 entity, or person, in the development of its report required under
22 section six of this act.
23 § 6. On or before one year after the effective date of this act, the
24 task force shall submit to the governor, the temporary president of the
25 senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate
26 and the minority leader of the assembly a report containing the findings
27 and recommendations of the task force.
28 § 7. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire 2 years
29 after it shall have become a law when upon such date the provisions of
30 this act shall be deemed repealed.
