Assembly Panel Advances Benson, Eustace & Vainieri Huttle Bill to Close Dangerous Opioid Prescription Loophole
An Assembly panel on Thursday approved legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Daniel Benson, Tim Eustace and Valerie Vainieri Huttle to close a dangerous opioid prescription loophole.
Specifically, the bill (A-4741) require practitioners to check prescription monitoring information before issuing certain prescriptions to emergency department patients and authorize medical scribes and licensed athletic trainers to access prescription monitoring information under certain circumstances.
"We've made great strides to reduce the availability of opioids when appropriate to limit the potential for addiction, but there's clearly more that needs to be done." said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex). "This bill will close a dangerous loophole that can be exploited by someone determined to fuel an opioid addiction."
Conaway, Benson, McKnight & Jimenez Bill to Ensure Treatment Options are Provided Hand-in-Hand with Opioid Antidote Advances
An Assembly panel on Thursday approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Herb Conaway, Jr., M.D., Daniel Benson, Angela McKnight and Angelica Jimenez to make sure opioid treatment options are offered when someone receives an antidote for an overdose.
"Opioid antidotes have proven highly effective in preventing tragedies, but they're not the solution to the problem," said Conaway (D-Burlington), a practicing physician and chair of the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee. "When coming face-to-face with someone obviously suffering from an addiction, we should seize that opportunity to discuss their options for treatment as a real, life-saving solution."
Specifically, the bill (A-2430) would require that, when a health care professional or first responder administers an opioid antidote to a person experiencing a drug overdose, the person must be provided with information concerning substance abuse treatment programs and resources, including information on the availability of opioid antidotes.
Vainieri Huttle, Benson, Holley, Danielsen & DeAngelo Bill to Improve Hospital Oversight of Dementia & Alzheimer’s Patients Advances
An Assembly panel on Thursday advanced legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Daniel Benson, Jamel Holley, Joe Danielsen and Wayne DeAngelo to ensure hospital staff is well informed to deliver proper care and oversight for patients suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia.
The bill (A-918) would require hospitals to clearly note on a patient's medical records whether they have dementia related disorders.
"From supervising my mother's health needs for years, I understand the unique level of care that Alzheimer's patients require," said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). "This simple annotation will alert hospital staff to be more vigilant in their oversight of patients suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia or other related conditions."
Benson, Vainieri Huttle, Muoio, Mukherji, Chiaravalloti & Wimberly Bill to Prevent Homelessness Among Domestic Violence Victims Continues Advancing
Legislation Assembly Democrats Daniel Benson, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Elizabeth Muoio, Raj Mukherji, Nicholas Chiaravalloti and Benjie Wimberly sponsored to provide emergency housing assistance for victims of domestic violence was advanced Monday by a Senate committee.
"There have been many times when victims of domestic violence have been denied emergency assistance because they voluntarily left a job where their abuser could find them or failed to plan for substitute housing - situations that are typically out of their control, especially for many who have limited means," said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex). "Our number one priority should be ensuring their safety and getting them back on their feet, and that's what this bill will do."
Benson to Receive PBA’s 2017 Legislator of the Year Award for his Efforts to Support Law Enforcement Community
Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee Chairman Daniel R. Benson has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 Legislator of the Year Award from the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), which will be presented at the Annual Valor Awards Banquet in Atlantic City on November 18.
In announcing Benson’s selection, the PBA noted, “You have been a true friend of law enforcement in general and the New Jersey State PBA in particular, especially with your support of our priority legislation. No one has sacrificed more or stood up for New Jersey’s first responders as you have and, in so doing, you have shown great strength and courage on our behalf.”