‘Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period because the number of drug overdoses and ensuing deaths is on the rise; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA c. 556-A is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 556-A
OPIOIDS
§ 2353. Opioid antagonists
1. Definition. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "opioid antagonist" means a drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors, including, but not limited to, naloxone hydrochloride.
2. Authorized administration of an opioid antagonist by law enforcement officers and municipal firefighters. A law enforcement officer as defined in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 17, in accordance with policies adopted by the law enforcement agency, and a municipal firefighter as defined in Title 30-A, section 3151, subsection 2, in accordance with policies adopted by the municipality, may administer an intranasal opioid antagonist as clinically indicated.
3. Authorized administration of an opioid antagonist by emergency medical personnel. An advanced emergency medical technician, basic emergency medical services person, basic emergency medical technician, first responder and emergency medical services' person as defined in Title 32, section 83, in accordance with policies applicable to the performance of their duties, may administer an opioid antagonist in accordance with the provisions of Title 32, chapter 2-B.’