A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-130-90 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES TO DEVELOP A PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CALLING FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE WHEN A PERSON EXPERIENCES AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Chapter 130, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 44-130-90.   The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall develop a public information campaign to raise awareness of the importance of immediately calling for 911 emergency medical assistance if a person has overdosed on a substance containing legal or illegal opioids and the limited immunities afforded a person seeking assistance for himself under Article 19, Chapter 53, Title 44. The department may collaborate with other state and local agencies, community distributors, and the business community to develop an effective strategy whose message and information reaches those at risk of overdosing and persons who may be bystanders of those experiencing an overdose. In addition to disseminating the public information through print or digital media and on a publicly accessible website, the department shall ensure that advertisements for the public information campaign are prominently displayed throughout the State on billboards, trash cans, and in public bathrooms in areas where data shows that overdoses are more likely to occur. The department shall apply for federal funding that may be available to pay for the costs associated with the public information campaign.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----