Section 2925.61 | Lawful administration of naloxone.
(A) As used in this section:
(1) "Administer naloxone" means to give naloxone to a person by either of the following routes:
(a) Using a device manufactured for the intranasal administration of liquid drugs;
(b) Using an autoinjector in a manufactured dosage form.
(2) "Law enforcement agency" means a government entity that employs peace officers to perform law enforcement duties.
(3) "Licensed health professional" means all of the following:
(a) A physician who is authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery;
(b) A physician assistant who holds a certificate to prescribe issued under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code;
(c) A clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner who holds a certificate to prescribe issued under section 4723.48 of the Revised Code.
(4) "Peace officer" has the same meaning as in section 2921.51 of the Revised Code.
(B) A family member, friend, or other individual who is in a position to assist an individual who is apparently experiencing or at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose, is not subject to criminal prosecution for a violation of section 4731.41 of the Revised Code or criminal prosecution under this chapter if the individual, acting in good faith, does all of the following:
(1) Obtains naloxone from a licensed health professional or a prescription for naloxone from a licensed health professional;
(2) Administers that naloxone to an individual who is apparently experiencing an opioid-related overdose;
(3) Attempts to summon emergency services either immediately before or immediately after administering the naloxone.
(C) Division (B) of this section does not apply to a peace officer or to an emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic, as defined in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.
(D) A peace officer employed by a law enforcement agency is not subject to administrative action, criminal prosecution for a violation of section 4731.41 of the Revised Code, or criminal prosecution under this chapter if the peace officer, acting in good faith, obtains naloxone from the peace officer's law enforcement agency and administers the naloxone to an individual who is apparently experiencing an opioid-related overdose.
Available Versions of this Section
- June 16, 2014 – House Bill 483 - 130th General Assembly [ View June 16, 2014 Version ]
- July 16, 2015 – House Bill 4 - 131st General Assembly [ View July 16, 2015 Version ]
- April 6, 2017 – Amended by House Bill 216, Senate Bill 319 - 131st General Assembly [ View April 6, 2017 Version ]
- December 16, 2020 – Amended by House Bill 341 - 133rd General Assembly [ View December 16, 2020 Version ]
- September 23, 2022 – Amended by House Bill 193 - 134th General Assembly [ View September 23, 2022 Version ]