SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3932

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 12, 2025

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 3932.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation (corporation) to establish a two-year pilot program, in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services, to provide an opioid antidote on every light rail train set that operates in the southern part of the State for the purpose of responding to an opioid overdose.

      Under the pilot program, the corporation is required to: (1) obtain a supply of an opioid antidote and distribute the supply in quantities and types deemed adequate by the corporation, in consultation with the Department of Health, to every light rail train set; (2) maintain one or more secure and easily accessible opioid antidote storage locations on each light rail train set which storage, when opened, is to silently alert the train operator of a potential opioid overdose; (3) stock each storage location with at least two doses of an opioid antidote; (4) ensure that the opioid antidote is appropriately maintained and made available while the light rail train set is in operation and used for light rail service; and (5) mark the location of each supply of the opioid antidote with a prominent sign, in both English and Spanish, and include an information card on how to recognize an opioid overdose, administer the opioid antidote, and contact emergency assistance. In addition, authorized employees of the corporation, contractors, and any other staff members on a light rail train set, are required to:  (1) perform routine checks on the opioid antidote locations; (2) maintain a record of the opioid antidote supply on each light rail train set, the maintenance of each location, and any emergency uses of the opioid antidote; and (3) conduct maintenance, as needed.

      Under the pilot program, an authorized employee, contractor, or any other staff member on light rail train sets, is not required to receive specialized training on how to administer an opioid antidote or administer an opioid antidote in the event of an opioid overdose.

      Within six months after the expiration of the pilot program, the corporation is required to submit a written report to the Governor and Legislature on the effectiveness of the pilot program and recommendations on whether to implement a permanent program Statewide.

      This bill appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the corporation.  The bill expires upon submission of the report.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to clarify that the New Jersey Transit Corporation is to prepare a report within six months after the expiration of the two-year pilot program established by the bill and to make a technical correction.