Establishes a medetomidine, benzodiazepine, nitazenes, and/or other harmful contaminants test strip program

Summary

Directs the commissioner of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services to establish a program for individuals to receive free drug test strips to detect the presence of medetomidine, benzodiazepine, nitazenes, and/or other harmful contaminants; directs the commissioner of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services, in cooperation with the commissioner of the department of health, to develop and conduct a public awareness and educational campaign on the dangers of medetomidine, benzodiazepine, nitazenes, and/or other harmful contaminants.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 19.47 to read as follows: Section 1 establishes the program where individuals free of change may receive medetomidine, benzodiazepine, and/or nitazenes test strips free of charge at hospital emergency rooms, addiction treatment facilities, facilities for substance use disorder programs, homeless shelters, urgent care centers, mobile medication units, and treatment facilities. This section states that individuals shall not be targeted by law enforcement when obtaining test strips and establishes that a public awareness and education campaign be conducted to educate the public on the dangers of medetomidine, benzodiazepine, nitazenes, and/or other harmful contaminants. Section 2 establishes an effective date. PURPOSE AND JUSTIFICATION: Evidence suggests that as fentanyl saturation in the illicit supply increases, preference for more potent substances among people who use drugs also increases. This preference for a more potent supply is often willingly met by illicit suppliers, who seek to differentiate their supply in novel ways. Adulterants can be added to increase potency, achieve synergistic effects, or to drive profit (adulterating a supply with a cheaper alternative). According to NYSDOH drug checking data, there has been a rise in known adulterants to the fentanyl and opioid supply. In samples expected to contain opioids, 25% contained Medetomidine (a tranquilizer) and 16% contained Benzodiazepines. Nitazenes are a class of extremely potent opioids with a different chem- ical structure than fentanyl. Nitazenes are generally considered to be more potent than fentanyl, but due to their distinct chemical structure, they are not reliably identified by existing fentanyl testing strips. As the overdose crisis evolves, we must adapt our approach. Expanding our drug-testing focus (currently limited to fentanyl and xylazine contamination in the supply) to include emerging and prospective adul- terants allows us to more nimbly respond to the crisis. On June 3rd, 2025, Dr. Kimberly Boulden (Director of Operations for MATTERS) testified before the New York State Assembly Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Committee and recommended this legislation.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Passed the legislature and is awaiting a signature.

Alcoholism and Drug Abuse · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Alcoholism And Substance Use Disorders · New York State Senate.

Recorded votes

• Vote: Floor vote

  NY SenateJun 4, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A9001, the matching Assembly bill.

  Voted yes (60)Voted no (0)Voted present (0)Absent (3)

  See member positions for the vote on Jun 4, 2026 (Floor vote)

• Vote: Committee vote · Alcoholism And Substance Use Disorders

  Senate Alcoholism And Substance Use DisordersMay 21, 2026Result: passed

  Voted yes (7)Voted no (0)Voted present (0)Absent (0)

  See member positions for the vote on May 21, 2026 (Committee vote · Alcoholism And Substance Use Disorders)

Full history

1. Jun 4, 2026

   3RD Reading CAL.1742

   3RD READING CAL.1742

   NY Senate

2. Jun 4, 2026

   In committee

   COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

   NY Senate

3. Jun 4, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   PASSED SENATE

   NY Senate

4. Jun 4, 2026

   Substituted

   SUBSTITUTED FOR S9221

   NY Senate

5. May 21, 2026

   Reported out of committee

   REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

   NY Senate