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MaineLD 710132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Expand Access and Reduce Barriers to Access to Naloxone Hydrochloride and Other Opioid Overdose-reversing Medications

Sponsored By: Samuel Zager (Democratic)

Became Law

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERSUBSTANCE USE DISORDER - TREATMENT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Community overdose programs and training

Public health agencies can run community overdose prevention programs under a prescriber’s standing order and department rules. After completing program training, people can receive unit-of-use naloxone and supplies, and may carry and use them in an overdose. Licensed prescribers must supply unit-of-use naloxone and needed supplies to trained recovery residences. Programs may store and give out naloxone without Title 32 pharmacy rules when distribution is free. The law also requires routine department rules for these programs and deletes one prior paragraph in this section.

Easier naloxone access for families

Health care professionals can prescribe naloxone or other overdose-reversing medication directly or by standing order to people at risk. FDA-approved over-the-counter naloxone can be provided or used with or without a prescription. Pharmacists can prescribe and dispense naloxone to people of any age under state protocols. A person with a prescription can give a dose to an immediate family member to hold and use in good faith. Doctors and pharmacists can also prescribe to a family member, friend, or helper, and those people may give it during a suspected overdose.

Legal protection for good-faith rescuers

Anyone who, in good faith and with reasonable care, gives or uses naloxone to help someone they believe is overdosing is protected. The law shields them from criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and professional discipline for those actions.

Naloxone boxes on public property

With a town’s consent, overdose programs may place naloxone boxes or vending machines on public buildings, restrooms, libraries, and parks. A town or overdose program is immune from criminal and civil liability for providing or maintaining these containers under the law. Members of the public may access naloxone from these containers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Samuel Zager

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 145

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/27/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/27/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-207) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-207), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/22/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-207).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/22/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on February 20, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

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