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LD 710

An Act To Expand Access And Reduce Barriers To Access To Naloxone Hydrochloride And Other Opioid Overdose-Reversing Medications

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sam Zager

Expands access to naloxone and other overdose-reversing meds and lowers barriers for patients, providers, and first responders to obtain, carry, and use them.

Signed by Governor
#naloxonehydrochloride #substanceusedisorder #treatment
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Bill Summary · LD 710

Summary — LD 710

An Act To Expand Access And Reduce Barriers To Access To Naloxone Hydrochloride And Other Opioid Overdose‑Reversing Medications

Purpose and intent

LD 710, sponsored by Rep. Zager of Portland, is intended to increase the availability of naloxone hydrochloride and other medications that reverse opioid overdoses and to remove legal, regulatory, or practical obstacles that make those medications harder to obtain and use. The bill is part of Maine’s broader efforts to reduce opioid‑related deaths by improving harm‑reduction access.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced to the House: February 20, 2025
  • Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; work session held April 2, 2025
  • Reported Out — OTP‑AM (ought to pass as amended): May 19, 2025
  • Committee Amendment "A" (H‑207) adopted: May 22, 2025
  • Passed both chambers (engrossed as amended): May 27, 2025
  • Signed by the Governor (enacted): May 29, 2025
  • Legislative references: LR 267(01)/(02)/(03); bill passed as engrossed with C "A" (H‑207)

Key provisions (what the bill is designed to do)

The bill’s title and legislative history indicate it expands access and reduces barriers to naloxone and other opioid overdose‑reversing medications. The available public record for LD 710 (fiscal notes and actions) does not include full text in the materials provided here, so the precise statutory amendments are not included in this summary. Typical measures under this type of legislation often include one or more of the following (note: these are plausible examples, not a substitute for the bill text):
- Authorizing pharmacists or other health professionals to dispense naloxone without an individual prescription (e.g., via standing orders or statewide protocol).
- Clarifying or expanding immunity from civil/criminal liability for prescribers, pharmacists, organizations, or laypersons who distribute or administer naloxone.
- Requiring or encouraging insurers/Medicaid to cover naloxone with minimal cost‑sharing.
- Allowing distribution through community programs, first responders, schools, or correctional facilities.
- Reducing administrative or training requirements that impede distribution.

To know which of these (or other) specific changes LD 710 enacted, consult the enacted bill text (C "A" (H‑207)) on the Maine Legislature website.

Fiscal impact

  • Multiple fiscal notes (03/03/25, 05/05/25, 05/22/25) conclude the bill will cause a "minor cost increase" to the General Fund.
  • Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing budgeted resources.

Who is affected

  • People at risk of opioid overdose and their families/support networks (increased access to reversal medications).
  • Pharmacies, health‑care providers, community organizations, and first responders (depending on the specific statutory changes).
  • State agencies (Department of Health and Human Services) for implementation and any minor administrative work.

Where to find the full text and enacted language

For the precise statutory changes and operative language, consult the enacted bill (LD 710, engrossed with C "A" (H‑207)) posted by the Maine Legislature or the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.

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

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