1179.80. (a) In order to reduce the rate of fatal overdose from opioid drugs including heroin and prescription opioids, the State Department of Public Health shall, subject to an appropriation for this purpose in the Budget Act of 2016, award funding to local health departments, local government agencies, or on a competitive basis to community-based organizations, regional opioid prevention coalitions, or both, to support or establish programs that provide naloxone, or any other opioid antagonist that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of an opioid overdose, to first responders and to at-risk opioid users through programs that serve at-risk drug users, including, but not limited to, syringe exchange and disposal programs, homeless programs, and substance use disorder treatment providers.
(b) The department may award grants itself or enter into contracts to carry out the provisions of subdivision (a). The award of contracts and grants is exempt from Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code and is exempt from approval by the Department of General Services prior to their execution.
(c) Not more than 10 percent of the funds appropriated shall be available to the department for its administrative costs in implementing this section. If deemed necessary by the department, the department may allocate funds to other state departments to assist in the implementation of subdivision (a).
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 554, Sec. 6. (SB 823) Effective January 1, 2022.)