Int. No.
By Council Member Gutiérrez
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to an education campaign for healthcare providers and the public on opioid use disorder and the use of opioid agonist therapies during and after pregnancy, and the distribution of opioid antagonists at neighborhood health service centers
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-199.29 to read as follows:
§ 17-199.29 Education campaign on opioid use disorder and opioid agonist therapies during and after pregnancy. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Healthcare provider. The term “healthcare provider” means an individual duly licensed or otherwise authorized to practice a health profession pursuant to applicable law, such as physicians, registered professional nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Opioid. The term “opioid” means a class of natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic drugs that include both prescription medications, including, but not be limited to, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs, such as heroin.
Opioid use disorder. The term “opioid use disorder” means a chronic substance use disorder, opioid abuse or dependence, or opioid addiction characterized by a pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress within a 12-month period.
Opioid agonist therapy. The term “opioid agonist therapy” means treatment overseen by a licensed healthcare provider to address opioid use disorder and uses medications such as methadone or buprenorphine.
Opioid antagonist. The term “opioid antagonist” has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision a of section 17-180.1.
Neighborhood health service center. The term “neighborhood health service center” means the department’s neighborhood-specific service centers, or any similar or successor programs, that aim to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes in the city through partnerships with community-based organizations.
Professional organizations. The term “professional organization” means a professional organization for healthcare providers, including, but not be limited to, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
b. Education campaign. The department, in partnership with professional organizations, shall develop and implement a campaign to educate healthcare providers about the use and benefits of opioid agonist therapy in pregnancy and the risks of withdrawal for pregnant women and birthing people and their fetus during and after pregnancy. Such campaign shall include, but not be limited to, recommendations provided by professional organizations and the New York state department of health.
c. Distribution of opioid antagonists. The department shall make opioid antagonists available to the public at no cost and upon request at each neighborhood health service center. Such distribution shall include information on the proper use of opioid antagonists, as well as information on the risks associated with opioid use, including opioid use during and after pregnancy. Such distribution shall be operated in compliance with existing federal, state, and local laws relating to the distribution of opioid antagonists.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.
SOS
LS #18426, 18395, 14931, 19253
5/6/25 3:30pm