New York Employers Must Stock Naloxone in First Aid Kits Starting this December
Some New York private-sector employers will soon be required to keep an opioid overdose reversal drug in their workplace first aid supplies, and state regulators have released proposed rules to guide compliance ahead of the Dec. 13, 2026, effective date.
New York Labor Law Section 27 F, enacted in December 2025 and amended in February 2026, requires covered employers to include an opioid antagonist such as naloxone, widely known by the brand name Narcan, in their first aid materials. Naloxone quickly blocks and reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and is available as an over-the-counter nasal spray.
The requirement applies only to employers already obligated under federal OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.151 to maintain first aid supplies, which generally covers workplaces without a nearby medical facility. There is no minimum employee threshold. The February amendment exempts the state, its political subdivisions, public authorities and government agencies.
On Sept. 23, the New York Department of Labor released proposed rules outlining expectations for storage, signage, replenishment and training. Public comment is open until Nov. 22, but the law’s effective date remains unchanged.
Employers are encouraged to start preparing now. Recommended steps include confirming which work sites fall under the OSHA first aid standard, choosing visible storage locations near existing first aid kits or AEDs, and drafting a simple procedure for retrieving naloxone and activating an emergency response. Employers should also train multiple employees per shift on recognizing overdoses and administering naloxone, add naloxone to routine first aid inspections, and consider signage, which the final rule is expected to address.
Free resources are available. MATTERS provides no-cost naloxone and wall storage boxes statewide through a grant-supported program, and early requests may help avoid supply delays. Naloxone can also be purchased through distributors or retail pharmacies. The national nonprofit SAFE Project offers free overdose response training in 60-second, 5- to 10-minute and 30-minute formats.
