50-32-603. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Administer" means to apply an opioid antagonist to the body of another person by injection, inhalation, ingestion, auto-injector, or another means.

(2) "Department" means the department of public health and human services provided for in 2-15-2201.

(3) "Dispense" or "dispensing" has the meaning provided in 37-7-101.

(4) "Distribute" has the meaning provided in 37-7-101.

(5) "Eligible recipient" means:

(a) a person who is at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose;

(b) a family member, friend, or other person who is in a position to assist a person who is at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose;

(c) a first responder or a first responder entity;

(d) a harm reduction organization or its representative;

(e) the Montana state crime laboratory or its representative;

(f) a person who, on behalf of or at the direction of a law enforcement agency or officer, may process, store, handle, test, transport, or possess a suspected or confirmed opioid;

(g) a probation, parole, or detention officer;

(h) a county or other local public health department or its representative; or

(i) a veterans' organization or its representative.

(6) "First responder" means a paid or volunteer firefighter, law enforcement officer, or other authorized person who responds to an emergency in a professional or volunteer capacity. The term does not include an ECP, also known as an emergency care provider, as defined in 37-3-102.

(7) "Harm reduction organization" means an organization that provides direct assistance and services, including but not limited to counseling, screening, and drug treatment, to persons at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose.

(8) "Law enforcement officer" means a person who is a peace officer as defined in 46-1-202 or any other agent of a criminal justice agency as defined in 44-5-103.

(9) "Medical practitioner" has the meaning provided in 37-2-101.

(10) "Opioid antagonist" means a drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors. The term includes naloxone hydrochloride and any other similarly acting drug approved by the United States food and drug administration.

(11) "Opioid-related drug overdose" means an acute condition evidenced by symptoms, including but not limited to physical illness, pinpoint pupils, coma, decreased level of consciousness, or respiratory depression, resulting from the consumption or use of an opioid or another substance with which an opioid is combined.

(12) "Standing order" means a written document prepared by a medical practitioner that authorizes an eligible recipient to acquire, distribute, or administer medication without a person-specific prescription.

(13) "State medical officer" means a physician licensed to practice medicine under Title 37, chapter 3, who is employed by the department to, among other things, provide advice and expertise to the department on medical policy and issues of public health importance.

History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 253, L. 2017.