CT HB05063

Amends Connecticut General Statutes Section 17a-714a to allow licensed health care professionals to prescribe, dispense, or administer opioid antagonists to treat or prevent drug overdoses without civil or criminal liability.

Expands liability protection to cover not only the prescribing, dispensing, or administration of the opioid antagonist, but also any subsequent use of the medication.

Defines "opioid antagonist" as naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting and equally safe drug approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for drug overdose treatment.

Requires the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to report by January 15, 2013, on the number of opioid antagonist prescriptions issued for self-administration by non-users under Department programs.

Effective date: October 1, 2012.