State representatives pass bill providing naloxone to people leaving jail, prison to prevent overdose

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House passed a bill Wednesday to provide naloxone to people leaving jails and prisons if they were incarcerated for drug-related charges or have a substance use disorder.

Sponsors said studies have proven that an overdose is the leading cause of death for people recently released from correctional facilities.

Although, the Illinois Sheriffs' Association is concerned this could be an unfunded mandate for county jails.

"We don't want to hamstring our counties financially on this," said Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago). "However, there are a significant amount of funds to do this."

This plan passed out of the House on a 72-42 vote with Republicans noting the limited resources for correctional officers to provide this option for people reentering society.

"Certainly, the jail has naloxone on site to be able to handle any overdose that happens within the jail," said Illinois Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk. "But our staffing numbers are abysmal right now, so the number of correctional officers that can handle this and the space available for it is limited. In terms of the availability of product, at some point in time, the mandate will be unfunded."

House Bill 3662 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.