SB318 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Drug overdoses, drugs to counteract effects of, physician or dentist authorized to prescribe and persons authorized to administer, alcohol consumption by minors assisting others, immune from liability

Summary

SB318 would let doctors and dentists prescribe naloxone to people at risk of opioid overdose or to those who help them, with protections from liability and new law enforcement training on overdose response.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill lets a licensed physician or dentist prescribe an opioid antagonist (naloxone) to an at-risk person or to someone who can assist that person. It grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to the prescriber, to the person who administers the antagonist, and to a pharmacist who dispenses it, provided they act in good faith. It also provides limited immunity from certain alcohol or misdemeanor drug prosecutions for someone who seeks medical help for another under specific conditions (good faith, using their own name, staying with the person). It requires the Department of Public Health to approve a training curriculum for law enforcement officers who carry and administer opioid antagonists.

Who It Affects

• Physicians and dentists who may prescribe naloxone under the bill, and pharmacists who dispense it, for use in overdose situations.
• Individuals at risk of opiate overdose and their family members, friends, or others who may assist them.
• Law enforcement officers who may carry or administer naloxone and will receive mandated training.
• Anyone under 21 or someone with a misdemeanor controlled substance offense who seeks medical help for another person under the specified conditions.

Key Provisions

• Defines opioid antagonist as naloxone hydrochloride approved by the FDA for overdose treatment.
• Allows a physician or dentist to prescribe naloxone to an at-risk individual or to someone in a position to assist.
• Provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for prescribers, individuals who administer, and pharmacists when acting in good faith.
• Extends limited immunity from certain alcohol possession/consumption or misdemeanor drug offenses to someone seeking medical help for another under specified circumstances.
• Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to approve a specific training curriculum for law enforcement officers who carry and administer naloxone.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage/approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Drugs