California · Civil Code

CIV §1714.22: (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) “Opioid antagonist” means naloxone hydrochloride or any other opioid antagonist that is approved by the United States Food and Dr

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines opioid antagonists and authorizes licensed health care providers to prescribe and distribute naloxone to people at risk of overdose or their associates, with legal protections for providers acting with reasonable care.

Read the full statutory text
(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) “Opioid antagonist” means naloxone hydrochloride or any other opioid antagonist that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of an opioid overdose. (2) “Opioid overdose prevention and treatment training program” means any program operated by a local health jurisdiction or that is registered by a local health jurisdiction to train individuals to prevent, recognize, and respond to an opiate overdose, and that provides, at a minimum, training in all of the following: (A) The causes of an opiate overdose. (B) Basic life support. (C) How to contact appropriate emergency medical services. (D) How to administer an opioid antagonist. (b) A licensed health care provider who is authorized by law to prescribe an opioid antagonist may, if acting with reasonable care, prescribe and subsequently dispense or distribute an opioid antagonist to a person at risk of an overdose or to a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of an overdose. (c) (1) A licensed health care provider who is authorized by law to prescribe an opioid antagonist may issue standing orders for the distribution of an opioid antagonist to a person at risk of an overdose or to a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of an overdose. (2) A licensed health care provider who is authorized by law to prescribe an opioid antagonist may issue standing orders for the administration of an opioid antagonist to a person at risk of an overdose by a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person experiencing or reasonably suspected of experiencing an overdose. (3) A person who is at risk of an overdose or any person in a position to assist a person at risk of an overdose may possess an opioid antagonist and subsequently dispense or distribute an opioid antagonist to a person at risk of an overdose or to any other person in a position to assist a person at risk of an overdose. (d) A licensed health care provider who acts with reasonable care shall not be subject to professional review or subject to criminal prosecution for issuing a prescription or order or for possessing, administering, or distributing an opioid antagonist pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c), or for liability in a civil action for any injuries or damages relating to or resulting from the acts or omissions of any person who administers the opioid antagonist in good faith and not for compensation pursuant to this section. (e) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a person who possesses or distributes an opioid antagonist for the purposes specified in subdivision (b) or (c) shall not be subject to professional review or be subject to criminal prosecution for their possession or distribution. (2) Consistent with Section 1799.102 of the Health and Safety Code, any person who administers an opioid antagonist, in good faith and not for compensation, to a person who is experiencing or is suspected of experiencing an overdose is not liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission relating to such administration, other than an act or omission constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.