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SB 460

AN ACT CONCERNING IMMUNITY AND LIABILITY FOR OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Saud Anwar

SB 460 grants legal immunity to Connecticut overdose prevention centers and staff to reduce overdose deaths through supervised drug use services.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary
#drugabuseprevention #liability
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Bill Summary · SB 460

Legislative bill overview

SB 460 would establish legal immunity and liability protections for overdose prevention centers (OPCs) — facilities where people can use pre-obtained drugs under medical supervision to reduce overdose deaths. The bill shields these centers, their operators, and staff from civil and criminal liability for providing this service, aligning Connecticut with harm reduction approaches used in other jurisdictions.

Why is this important

Overdose deaths remain a leading cause of mortality, and OPCs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing fatal overdoses while connecting users to treatment services. Legal protections are essential for operators to establish these facilities without fear of prosecution, enabling expansion of this public health intervention in communities with high overdose rates.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal law conflict: OPCs may violate federal drug laws (Controlled Substances Act), creating questions about whether state immunity shields operators from federal prosecution
  • Community opposition: Neighborhoods may resist locating OPCs nearby due to concerns about drug use visibility, property values, and public disorder
  • Liability scope clarity: The breadth of immunity—whether it covers negligence, inadequate supervision, or harm to bystanders—remains undefined and could be interpreted broadly or narrowly
  • Funding and oversight: The bill doesn't address how centers are funded, staffed, or regulated, raising questions about quality standards and accountability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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