A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-130-60, RELATING TO ADMINISTERING OF OPIOID ANTIDOTES BY FIRST RESPONDERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE FIRST RESPONDER STATIONS TO MAINTAIN A SUPPLY OF OPIOID ANTIDOTE MEDICATION AT ALL TIMES.
Summary
H3860 amends South Carolina law governing opioid overdose response by requiring every first responder station and dispatch office in the state to keep an adequate supply of unexpired opioid antidote medication on hand at all times. The bill builds on existing authority for first responders to administer opioid antidotes, but adds a new inventory requirement to ensure the medication is immediately available when needed.
The measure is straightforward and limited in scope: it does not change who may administer opioid antidotes or how they are used, but it does impose an ongoing preparedness obligation on first responder facilities and dispatch offices. The bill would take effect upon the Governor’s approval.
Impact
The bill would amend Section 44-130-60 of the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding a new subsection requiring first responder stations and dispatch offices to maintain an adequate supply of unexpired opioid antidote medication. This would affect public safety agencies, emergency response operations, and any local or state entities responsible for stocking naloxone or similar overdose-reversal medication. It creates a statewide inventory requirement tied to existing opioid overdose response law, but does not specify penalties, funding, or implementation details in the text provided.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to have a generally supportive, public-safety-oriented purpose focused on preventing opioid overdose deaths. No committee transcripts or votes were provided, so there is no recorded debate or formal vote history to indicate opposition or amendment activity. The caption and language suggest the bill is framed as a practical readiness measure rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the available materials. Potential areas of concern, if raised, would likely involve the cost of maintaining stocked supplies, responsibility for replacing expired medication, and whether the mandate should apply equally to all first responder stations and dispatch offices statewide. However, no named opponents, supporters, or disputed provisions appear in the provided record.
Requires institutions of higher education to maintain supply of opioid antidotes and permits emergency administration of opioid antidote by campus medical professional or trained employee.
Requires institutions of higher education to maintain supply of opioid antidotes and permits emergency administration of opioid antidote by campus medical professional or trained employee.
Requires county health departments to maintain reserve stock of opioid antidotes to dispense to certain entities on interim basis to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Requires county health departments to maintain reserve stock of opioid antidotes to dispense to certain entities on interim basis to ensure uninterrupted supply.