BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 998

By: West

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

More than 1,600 Texans died of synthetic opioid-related deaths in 2022, according to the Department of State Health Services. Many casual drug users do not realize the dangers of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which is commonly associated with illicit drugs that are often consumed in night clubs, bars, and similar establishments in which alcohol is served. Some states, such as New York, have specifically targeted club-goers with educational campaigns relating to fentanyl safety. To have the widest impact on curbing overdoses in Texas, bars and night clubs must be targeted for overdose prevention. Training servers licensed by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and to administer opioid antagonists may have a significant impact on fentanyl overdoses. S.B. 998 seeks to require TABC to develop, and for permit holders and employees to complete, training on the signs and symptoms of opioid-related drug overdoses and the administration of an opioid antagonist.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 998 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to require the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to develop a training program that provides training on the signs and symptoms of an opioid-related drug overdose and the administration of an opioid antagonist and authorizes TABC to make the training available online. The bill requires the holder of a mixed beverage permit or a private club registration permit and each employee of the permit holder who is required by the permit holder to complete a TABC-approved seller training program to complete the opioid-related drug overdose training program each year. The requirement for the specified individuals to complete the training does not apply to a mixed beverage permit or private club registration permit holder that is a restaurant.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.