The Emergency Medical Services Authority (“EMSA”) coordinates California’s emergency medical services system and develops training standards for prehospital emergency medical care personnel, including standards governing the use and administration of naloxone and other opioid antagonists. Existing law also requires the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“DOSH” or “Cal/OSHA”) to develop proposed workplace standards concerning the availability of naloxone or another Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved opioid antagonist in workplace first aid materials.
AB 2150 establishes a new training requirement for employers that require their employees to obtain cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”) certification. These employers must also require those employees to complete an EMSA-approved online video training module on the use of naloxone. The training must address recognition of an opioid overdose, appropriate response procedures, and proper administration of naloxone or another FDA-approved opioid antagonist. The employer must cover any costs associated with the training.
An employee who completes a CPR, first aid, or other training program that EMSA determines already includes the required content is not obligated to complete separate naloxone training, provided the employer maintains documentation of the qualifying training or certification. The training requirement does not independently require or authorize an employee to administer naloxone.
AB 2150 adds Section 1797.197b to the Health and Safety Code.
