BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4783
89R9017 AB-D	By: VanDeaver (Hancock)
	Health & Human Services
	5/12/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Opioid antagonists are medications used to block the effects of opioids such as heroin and fentanyl and are effective for preventing overdose deaths. Current law requires the operation of a program to provide opioid antagonists for the prevention of opioid overdoses. Under that program, opioid antagonists may be provided to emergency medical services personnel, first responders, public schools, institutions of higher education, community centers, and other persons likely to be in a position to respond to an opioid overdose.

H.B. 4783 would require a biennial report on opioid antagonist programs for opioid overdose reversal and prevention, which must include a needs assessment for the opioid antagonist program in current law and the development of certain goals, strategies, and recommendations, among other components.

H.B. 4783 amends current law relating to a report on governmental opioid antagonist programs to reverse and prevent opioid overdoses.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 461A, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 461A.060, as follows:

Sec. 461A.060. BIENNIAL REPORT ON OPIOID ANTAGONIST PROGRAMS FOR OPIOID OVERDOSE REVERSAL AND PREVENTION. (a) Defines "opioid antagonist."

(b) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), not later than October 1 of each even-numbered year, to prepare a report evaluating the distribution of opioid antagonists in this state to reverse and prevent opioid overdoses and submit the report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) Requires that the report described by Subsection (b):

(1) include a needs assessment for the opioid antagonist program established under Section 461A.059 (Opioid Antagonist Program);

(2) establish a statewide saturation goal for opioid antagonists and include a description of the data sources and methodology used to estimate insufficiencies in the current supply of opioid antagonists and a communications plan to address opioid overdoses in areas of this state at higher risk for increased numbers of overdoses;

(3) include a description of all state and federal money appropriated to the opioid antagonist program established under Section 461A.059;

(4) establish opioid antagonist distribution strategies for this state;

(5) list and describe all available state and federally funded purchase and distribution programs for opioid antagonists; and

(6) recommend improvements for addressing opioid overdoses among high-risk populations, including school-aged children, pregnant and postpartum women, and individuals residing in rural areas of this state.

(d) Requires HHSC, in preparing the report under this section, to coordinate and consult with each state agency, institution of higher education, and political subdivision of this state that receives funding or other resources under Section 461A.059 for the distribution of opioid antagonists.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.