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A 658

Relates to requiring homeless shelters to keep an opioid antagonist on hand, have at least one trained employee on duty at all times, and develop a training plan for opioid overdoses

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Rosenthal and 1 co-sponsor

A 658 would require homeless shelters to have naloxone on hand, keep at least one trained employee on duty at all times, and develop a formal overdose response training plan.

REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 658

Summary of Bill A 658

Overview

  • Bill number: A 658
  • Title/scope: Relates to requirements for homeless shelters to have an opioid antagonist on hand, ensure at least one trained employee on duty at all times, and develop a training plan for opioid overdoses.
  • Status: Referred to the Social Services committee
  • Introduced: January 8, 2025
  • Sponsors:
    • Primary: Linda Rosenthal
    • Co-sponsor: Albert A. Stirpe
  • Related/companion bills:
    • A 9552, A 110, A 638, A 206 (prior-session)
    • S 6455 (companion) (listed twice)

Purpose and Intent

A 658 would establish minimum overdose-response requirements for homeless shelters. The bill aims to:
- Ensure shelters keep an opioid antagonist on hand (commonly naloxone) to address overdoses.
- Require at least one trained employee on duty at all times.
- Mandate the development of a formal training plan to address opioid overdoses within shelters.

These provisions are intended to improve immediate overdose response capabilities and enhance safety forShelter residents and staff.

Key Provisions

  • Opioid antagonist on hand: Shelters must maintain an available supply of an opioid antagonist to treat suspected overdoses.
  • Trained personnel on duty: Shelters must have at least one employee who is trained to respond to overdoses on duty at all times.
  • Overdose response training plan: Shelters must develop and presumably implement a formal training plan addressing overdose recognition, response, and use of the antidote.

Note: The bill text is not provided here, so details such as who may administer naloxone, storage requirements, and any reporting or recordkeeping duties are not specified in the summary.

Affected Parties

  • Primary impact: Homeless shelters and their staff, including front-line workers and administrators.
  • Secondary impacts: Persons served by shelters (individuals experiencing homelessness) who may be at risk of opioid overdoses; localities funding shelters for implementation and ongoing costs.

Implementation and Timeline (Procedural)

  • The bill is in the early stage of the legislative process, having been referred to the Social Services committee on January 8, 2025. There is no public information in the summary about a mandated effective date or phased implementation.

Fiscal and Administrative Considerations

  • Potential costs include:
    • Purchase or resupply of opioid antagonists (e.g., naloxone).
    • Training expenses for staff and ongoing refresher trainings.
    • Administrative time to develop and maintain the required training plan and any related compliance reporting.
  • Specific funding sources or fiscal impact would be determined in committee analyses and the bill’s final text.

Related Legislation

  • Several related and companion measures exist, including A 9552, A 110, A 638, A 206 (prior-session bills) and S 6455 (companion). These may cover similar overdose-response or shelter-safety provisions in other sessions or chambers.

Summary

A 658 seeks to standardize overdose preparedness in homeless shelters by mandating naloxone availability, continuous trained staffing, and a formal overdose training plan. As of now, the bill is in committee referral with no enacted provisions or timelines published.

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

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