HARRISBURG – The state Senate unanimously approved legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would ensure known or suspected drug overdoses treated by emergency medical services (EMS) providers are tracked in a statewide mapping system.
“When EMS personnel encounter an overdose, that information doesn’t automatically go into the statewide tracking system,” Mastriano said. “I want to close this gap in the data collected by the overdose mapping system so health care professionals and law enforcement personnel have access to the best available information.”
Mastriano previously introduced legislation that became Act 158 of 2022 and established a statewide mapping system to track overdoses.
Senate Bill 89 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Health to coordinate with the Pennsylvania State Police to ensure real-time overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the statewide mapping system.
EMS providers would report the date and time of the overdose; location where it occurred; known or suspected controlled substances administered or inhaled, ingested, imbibed or injected by the victim; details about any overdose reversal drugs that were administered; and whether the situation was fatal or nonfatal.
“The statewide overdose mapping system can save lives by sharing important information with law enforcement and health care professionals on the front lines in this fight,” Mastriano said. “The ability to save lives is only as strong as the information in the system. My bill would strengthen the overdose tracking system and enable frontline personnel to save more lives.”
Click here for Mastriano’s floor remarks.
Senate Bill 89 now heads to the state House for consideration.
Constituents of the 33rd Senatorial District can learn more about Mastriano by visiting his website at SenatorMastriano.com or following him on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorDougMastriano.
CONTACT: Don Beishl, 717-787-6701