A measure sponsored by state Sen. Kenya Wicks in the Georgia Senate seeks to provide opioid overdose reversal medications at public libraries throughout the state, according to the Georgia State Senate.
Filed as SB450 on Monday, Feb. 2, during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill is formally titled: ‘State Public Library Activities; the possession of opioid antagonists in public libraries; authorize’.
Below is a summary based on the actual bill text, with explanatory notes for additional clarity.
The legislation permits both library visitors and staff to possess opioid reversal treatments in public libraries, and would obligate all public libraries to acquire and maintain a supply of such antagonists, safely stored and subject to possible shortages. The “opioid antagonist” definition covers both naloxone and similar FDA-approved products. It enables authorized personnel to carry and use these medications for anyone believed to be experiencing an overdose on library property or while under library supervision, with civil and professional immunity protections unless gross or willful misconduct occurs. Following administration, staff are required to contact emergency services and inform the individual’s parent, guardian, or another known emergency contact immediately.
Sen. Nikki Merritt (Democrat-9th), Sen. Kim Jackson (Democrat-41st), and two additional senators joined as co-sponsors.
Wicks has also introduced three other bills since the session convened.
Wicks earned her BS from the University of Alabama in 2010.
A Democrat, Wicks won her seat to represent Georgia’s 34th Senate District in 2025, succeeding former senator Valencia Seay.
Georgia’s legislative process starts with a legislator, often responding to a constituent, working with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a proposal. After being filed with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, it is read once and then assigned to a relevant committee where the bulk of analysis occurs. Upon advancing out of committee, the bill is subject to further readings, debate, and a floor vote. To become law, it must pass both houses, potentially requiring a conference committee if discrepancies exist, before going to the governor, who has six days during the session or up to 40 days after sine die adjournment to act. The General Assembly’s 40-day session convenes annually on the second Monday of January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB273 | 02/26/2025 | Minimum Wage; certain provisions regarding the minimum wage law; revise |
| SB236 | 02/21/2025 | “Quality Basic Education Act,”; certain students whose parents or guardians are on active duty are eligible for enrollment in the public school of the attendance zone in which they intend to reside; provide |
| SB190 | 02/18/2025 | Parks, Historic Areas, Memorials, and Recreation; certain fee waivers for active duty members of the military, veterans, and family members; provide |
Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State Senate. The source data can be found here.
