Bill
A 1647
New York A1647A would decriminalize buprenorphine possession for personal use, removing criminal penalties and directing enforcement toward treatment and public health.
Overview
- Bill number: A1647A
- Title: Relates to decriminalizing the possession of buprenorphine
- Introduced: January 10, 2025
- Current status: PRINT NUMBER 1647A; amendments and referral actions taken
- Primary sponsor: Linda Rosenthal (with numerous cosponsors)
- Related bills: A4013 (prior session), S3883 (companion), S2331 (companion)
What the bill would do (as indicated by the title and status)
- The bill aims to decriminalize the possession of buprenorphine. In practical terms, this typically means removing criminal penalties for possessing buprenorphine for personal use, rather than penalizing possession as a crime. The exact mechanics (e.g., whether it would create a civil penalty, require warnings, or simply treat possession as lawful) would be specified in the enacted text of A1647A.
Key provisions (note on content availability)
- The provided materials do not include the full text of A1647A. The available information confirms:
- The bill’s objective to decriminalize possession of buprenorphine.
- The version in circulation is A1647A (print number) as of June 6, 2025, following amendments.
- Because the precise statutory language is not included here, the detailed provisions (definitions, exceptions, enforcement standards, penalties if any, safe harbor provisions, and any linking requirements to treatment or reporting) cannot be enumerated from the provided content.
Who would be affected
- Individuals who possess buprenorphine for personal use, or any possessor previously subject to criminal penalties for possession.
- Law enforcement and prosecutorial processes, which would shift away from criminal penalties for possession to the new framework established by the bill (if any).
- Healthcare and public health systems, including treatment providers, who may experience changes in policing and stigma related to buprenorphine use.
- The bill potentially interacts with existing prescription regulations, controlled-substance controls, and public health efforts aimed at expanding access to treatment for opioid use disorder.
Procedural and timeline notes
- Introduced: January 10, 2025; referred to Codes.
- Amendments and action: On June 6, 2025, the bill underwent amendments and was reprinted as 1647A, with multiple entries indicating amendments and recommittal to the Codes committee.
- Next steps (typical): If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee consideration, potential floor votes, and, if approved, moves to the Senate and then to the governor for signing. The exact timing depends on legislative calendar and committee actions.
Sponsorship and support
- A broad list of cosponsors supports the bill, led by primary sponsor Linda Rosenthal. Cosponsors include Sarahana Shrestha, Marcela Mitaynes, Jo Anne Simon, Andrew Hevesi, and many others, indicating substantial legislative backing.
Context and related legislation
- Related bills: A4013 (prior session), S3883 and S2331 (companions), indicating parallel consideration in both houses and across sessions.
- Note: Buprenorphine is a controlled substance; decriminalization at the state level would interact with federal law and regulatory frameworks governing controlled substances and medical treatment.
Important caveat
- The full text of A1647A is not included in the provided materials, so this summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and procedural history as of the information given. For a precise understanding of provisions, definitions, penalties (if any), and effective dates, the enacted bill text should be reviewed.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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