CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Gov. Brian Sandoval plans to sign a bill aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse and making it easier to access medicine that can reverse potentially deadly overdoses.
The Republican governor said he plans to sign SB459 on Tuesday in Las Vegas, during a policy workshop focused on prescription drug abuse prevention. The bill passed the Assembly in a 32-10 vote on Friday.
The so-called "Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act" would reduce criminal penalties for reporting drug overdoses.
It would also make it easier for people to access the non-addictive drug naloxone, which can help reverse opioid overdoses, and require doctors do more to track prescriptions.
First lady Kathleen Sandoval supported the bill, saying the issue was personal because her cousin died of a heroin overdose after becoming addicted to painkillers.