3.

1. (a) As used in this section:

   1. (i) "Opioid antagonist" means a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration that, when administered, negates or neutralizes in whole or in part the pharmacological effects of an opioid in the body. "Opioid antagonist" shall be limited to naloxone and other medications approved by the department for such purpose.
   2. (ii) "Health care professional" means a person licensed, registered or authorized pursuant to title eight of the education law to prescribe prescription drugs.
   3. (iii) "Pharmacist" means a person licensed or authorized to practice pharmacy pursuant to article one hundred thirty-seven of the education law.
   4. (iv) "Opioid antagonist recipient" or "recipient" means a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose, or a family member, friend or other person in a position to assist a person experiencing or at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose, or an organization registered as an opioid overdose prevention program pursuant to this section or a school district, board of cooperative educational services, county vocational education and extension board, charter school, non-public elementary and/or secondary school in this state or any person employed by such district, board or school. (b)(i) A health care professional may prescribe by a patient-specific or non-patient-specific prescription, dispense or distribute, directly or indirectly, an opioid antagonist to an opioid antagonist recipient.
   5. (ii) A pharmacist may dispense an opioid antagonist, through a patient-specific or non-patient-specific prescription pursuant to this paragraph, to an opioid antagonist recipient.
   6. (iii) An opioid antagonist recipient may possess an opioid antagonist obtained pursuant to this paragraph, may distribute such opioid antagonist to a recipient, and may administer such opioid antagonist to a person the recipient reasonably believes is experiencing an opioid overdose.
   7. (iv) The provisions of this paragraph shall not be deemed to require a prescription for any opioid antagonist that does not otherwise require a prescription; nor shall it be deemed to limit the authority of a health care professional to prescribe, dispense or distribute, or of a pharmacist to dispense, an opioid antagonist under any other provision of law.

   8. 3-a. Any distribution of opioid antagonists through this program shall include an informational card or sheet. The informational card or sheet shall include, at a minimum, information on:

      1. (a) how to recognize symptoms of an opioid overdose;
      2. (b) steps to take prior to and after an opioid antagonist is administered, including calling first responders;
      3. (c) the number for the toll free office of alcoholism and substance abuse services HOPE line;
      4. (d) how to access the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services' website; and
      5. (e) any other information deemed relevant by the commissioner. The educational card shall be provided in languages other than English as deemed appropriate by the commissioner. The department shall make such informational cards available to the opioid overdose prevention programs.
   9. 4. Use of an opioid antagonist pursuant to this section shall be considered first aid or emergency treatment for the purpose of any statute relating to liability. A recipient, opioid overdose prevention program, school district, board of cooperative educational services, county vocational education and extension board, charter school, non-public elementary school and/or secondary school in the state, or any person employed by such district, board or school under this section, acting reasonably and in good faith in compliance with this section, shall not be subject to criminal, civil or administrative liability solely by reason of such action.

   10. 5. The commissioner shall publish findings on statewide opioid overdose data that reviews overdose death rates and other information to ascertain changes in the cause and rates of fatal opioid overdoses. The report may be part of existing state mortality reports issued by the department, and shall be submitted annually to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, and the chairs of the senate and assembly health committees. The report shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

       1. (a) information on opioid overdose deaths, including age, gender, ethnicity, and geographic location;
       2. (b) data on emergency room utilization for the treatment of opioid overdose;
       3. (c) data on utilization of pre-hospital services;
       4. (d) data on utilization of opioid antagonists; and
       5. (e) any other information necessary to ascertain the success of the program and ways to further reduce overdoses.