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)

Signed by Governor

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERSUBSTANCE USE DISORDER - TREATMENT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Community programs can give free naloxone

The law lets agencies that serve people at high overdose risk set up overdose prevention programs under a prescriber’s standing order. These programs must follow Department rules. They can store and give out naloxone and needed supplies for free, without standard pharmacy requirements. They may hand out unit-of-use kits so people can carry and use them during a suspected overdose. Training is not required to receive a kit.

Public naloxone boxes on city property

With a city's express consent, overdose prevention programs can place visible boxes or vending machines with naloxone on public property. Sites can include libraries, parks, restrooms, and other municipal locations. Cities and programs are immune from criminal and civil liability for providing or maintaining these containers under this rule. This creates easy public access to overdose-reversal medicine.

Legal protection for giving naloxone

If you act in good faith and with reasonable care, you are immune from criminal and civil liability for giving or using naloxone or another overdose-reversing medicine. You are also not subject to professional or other discipline for these actions. The protection covers outcomes that result from providing the medicine.

Naloxone kits for recovery homes

Licensed prescribers must give unit-of-use naloxone and supplies to recovery residences. The residence can keep and use the medicine for someone who appears to be overdosing. Training is not required before receiving the kits.

Naloxone sold over the counter

The law allows FDA-approved over-the-counter naloxone or other overdose medicines to be provided or used with or without a prescription. People at risk, their family, and others in a position to help can get and use these medicines more easily. The medicine must be FDA-approved for over-the-counter sale.

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. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 145

    5/29/2025
  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

  • Amendment C-A (H-207), adopted by House & Senate

  • Enacted

  • Introduced

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