New Jersey A 449: Requires institutions of higher education to have automatic external defibrillator on premises and maintain supply of naloxone hydrochloride.

Bill Text

A449 

ASSEMBLY, No. 449 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman MICHAEL VENEZIA

District 34 (Essex)

Assemblywoman CARMEN THERESA MORALES

District 34 (Essex)

Assemblywoman LINDA S. CARTER

District 22 (Somerset and Union)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Bagolie, Park, Assemblyman Sampson, 
Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblyman Miller and Assemblywoman Quijano

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires institutions of higher education to have 
automatic external defibrillator on premises and maintain supply of naloxone 
hydrochloride.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

��

An Act concerning automatic external defibrillators and 
naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray at institutions of higher education and 
supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1. a. Notwithstanding the 
provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, an institution of 
higher education shall place an automated external defibrillator, as defined in 
section 2 of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-24), in an unlocked location in each 
athletic facility and student center with an appropriate identifying sign. The 
defibrillator shall be accessible during the normal operating hours of the 
athletic facility or student center and within reasonable proximity of the 
institution�s athletic fields.

���� b. The institution of higher 
education shall ensure that: (1) at least two staff members who are trained in 
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of the defibrillator, in accordance 
with the provisions of section 3 of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-25), are in the 
athletic facility or student center during the normal operating hours; and (2) 
each defibrillator is tested and maintained according to the manufacturer�s 
operational guidelines, and notification is provided to the appropriate first 
aid, ambulance, or rescue squad, or other appropriate emergency medical 
services provider regarding the defibrillator, the type acquired, and its 
location in accordance with section 3 of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-25).

���� c. An institution of higher 
education and its staff shall, pursuant to the provisions of section 5 of 
P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-27), be immune from civil liability in the acquisition 
and use of a defibrillator pursuant to this section.

���� 2. a. Notwithstanding the 
provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, an institution of 
higher education shall obtain a supply of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray 
through a standing order issued pursuant to section 4 of the �Overdose Prevention 
Act,� P.L.2013, c.46 (C.24:6J-4) or section 1 of P.L.2017, c.88 (C.45:14-67.2) 
to be placed near an automated external defibrillator required pursuant to 
subsection a. of section 1 of this act in a secure and easily accessible 
location with an appropriate identifying sign for the purpose of responding to 
an opioid overdose emergency. The naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray shall be 
maintained by the institution in quantities and types deemed adequate by the 
governing board of the institution in consultation with the Commissioner of 
Human Services.

���� b. An institution of higher 
education shall designate a licensed campus medical professional to oversee the 
institution�s program for the maintenance and emergency administration of 
naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray on campus, including the designation of 
members of the higher education community to administer naloxone hydrochloride 
nasal spray.� 

���� c. An institution of higher 
education, licensed campus medical professional, member of the higher education 
community designated to administer naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray pursuant 
to subsection b. of this section, pharmacist, or an authorized health care 
practitioner who issues a standing order for naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray 
to an institution of higher education shall not be held liable for any good 
faith act or omission consistent with the provisions of this act. For purposes 
of this act, good faith shall not include willful misconduct, gross negligence, 
or recklessness.

���� 3. This act shall take effect 
on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, 
except the Secretary of Higher Education may take any anticipatory 
administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation 
of this act.

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires an 
institution of higher education to place an automated external defibrillator in 
an unlocked location in each athletic facility and student center with an 
appropriate identifying sign. The defibrillator is to be accessible during the 
normal operating hours of the athletic facility or student center and within 
reasonable proximity of the institution�s athletic fields.

���� The institution of