AUGUSTA - The Maine Senate gave final approval on Tuesday to LD 1036, An Act to Require All Uniformed Patrol Officers to Carry Naloxone Hydrochloride when on Duty. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill.
As amended, the bill would require uniformed patrol officers to carry naloxone hydrochloride, also known by the brand name Narcan, on their person or in their police vehicle.
"We can and must do more to reduce the number of deaths from substance use disorder," said Milliken. "We lost 716 Mainers to preventable overdoses last year, shattering so many families across the state. This week's votes move our state closer to expanding the availability of a lifesaving tool that has been proven to help reduce fatal overdoses and could save our friends, neighbors and loved ones."
The bill received unanimous support in the Maine House prior to its enactment in the Senate. It now heads to the governors desk.
Milliken, a member of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents Blue Hill, Brooksville, Castine, Sedgwick, Surry and Trenton.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Milliken], c. 305-965-2744