TITLE: Relating to the creation of a grant program to assist law enforcement agencies with the purchase of opioid antagonists.

SUMMARY: Relating to the creation of a grant program to assist law enforcement agencies with the purchase of opioid antagonists.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the creation of a grant program to assist law enforcement agencies with the purchase of opioid antagonists. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 772, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 772.0078 to read as follows: Sec. 772.0078. OPIOID ANTAGONIST GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this section: (1) "Criminal justice division" means the criminal justice division established under Section 772.006. (2) "Opioid antagonist" and "opioid-related drug overdose" have the meanings assigned by Section 483.101, Health and Safety Code. (b) The criminal justice division shall establish and administer a grant program to provide financial assistance to a law enforcement agency in this state that seeks to provide opioid antagonists to peace officers, evidence technicians, and related personnel who, in the course of performing their duties, are likely to come into contact with opioids or encounter persons suffering from an apparent opioid-related drug overdose. (c) A law enforcement agency may apply for a grant under this section only if the agency first adopts a policy addressing the usage of an opioid antagonist for a person suffering from an apparent opioid-related drug overdose. (d) In an application for a grant under this section, the law enforcement agency shall provide information to the criminal justice division about the frequency and nature of: (1) interactions between peace officers and persons suffering from an apparent opioid-related drug overdose; (2) calls for assistance based on an apparent opioid-related drug overdose; and (3) any exposure of peace officers, evidence technicians, or related personnel to opioids or suspected opioids in the course of performing their duties and any reactions by those persons to those substances. (e) A law enforcement agency receiving a grant under this section shall, as soon as practicable after receiving the grant, provide to the criminal justice division proof of purchase of the opioid antagonists. (f) The criminal justice division may use any money available for purposes of this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.