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SB 195

AN ACT CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE DEATHS AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Saud Anwar and 19 co-sponsors

Connecticut bill expands overdose prevention, substance disorder treatment access, and recovery services to reduce accidental opioid deaths and improve public health outcomes.

FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.
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Bill Summary · SB 195

Legislative bill overview

SB 195 establishes comprehensive measures to reduce accidental overdose deaths and expand substance use disorder treatment access in Connecticut. The bill combines harm reduction strategies, treatment availability improvements, and recovery support services into a coordinated public health response to the opioid crisis.

Why is this important

Connecticut, like most U.S. states, faces escalating overdose deaths driven primarily by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Expanding treatment access and implementing evidence-based prevention measures addresses both immediate life-saving needs and long-term recovery outcomes, reducing emergency room burden and criminal justice system strain.

Potential points of contention

  • Harm reduction vs. abstinence-focused approaches: Debate over whether needle exchange, supervised consumption sites, or medication-assisted treatment align with public health values or create unintended consequences
  • Funding allocation: Questions about whether resources adequately balance prevention, emergency response, treatment capacity expansion, and recovery services without diverting funds from other health priorities
  • Community opposition: Neighborhoods may resist treatment facilities or harm reduction services citing property values, public safety concerns, or perceived enabling of drug use
  • Medication availability: Barriers to prescribing buprenorphine and naloxone may persist despite legislative support due to provider licensing, insurance coverage, or regulatory requirements

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

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