BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4783

By: VanDeaver

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that 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.

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

H.B. 4783 amends the Health and Safety Code to require 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 Texas to reverse and prevent opioid overdoses and submit the report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. The bill defines "opioid antagonist" by reference as any drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or otherwise inhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors. The bill requires the report to do the following:

· include a needs assessment for the Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) opioid antagonist program;

· establish a statewide saturation goal for opioid antagonists and include a description of 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 Texas at higher risk for increased numbers of overdoses;

· include a description of all state and federal money appropriated to the opioid antagonist program;

· establish opioid antagonist distribution strategies for Texas;

· list and describe all available state and federally funded purchase and distribution programs for opioid antagonists; and

· 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 Texas.

The bill requires HHSC, in preparing the report, to coordinate and consult with each state agency, institution of higher education, and political subdivision of Texas that receives funding or other resources under the DSHS opioid antagonist program for distribution of opioid antagonists.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.