Fla. Stat. 401.253
Reporting of controlled substance overdoses

(1)(a)

A basic life support service or advanced life support service which treats and releases, or transports to a medical facility, in response to an emergency call for a suspected or actual overdose of a controlled substance may report such incidents to the department. Such reports must be made using the Emergency Medical Service Tracking and Reporting System or other appropriate method with secure access, including, but not limited to, the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program or other program identified by the department in rule. If a basic life support service or advanced life support service reports such incidents, it shall make its best efforts to make the report to the department within 120 hours after it responds to the incident.The data collected by the department shall be made available within 120 hours to law enforcement, public health, fire rescue, and emergency medical service agencies in each county.For purposes of this section, the term “overdose” means a condition, including, but not limited to, extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or death resulting from the consumption or use of any controlled substance that requires medical attention, assistance or treatment, and clinical suspicion for drug overdose, such as respiratory depression, unconsciousness, or altered mental status, without other conditions to explain the clinical condition.

(1)(a)

A basic life support service or advanced life support service which treats and releases, or transports to a medical facility, in response to an emergency call for a suspected or actual overdose of a controlled substance may report such incidents to the department. Such reports must be made using the Emergency Medical Service Tracking and Reporting System or other appropriate method with secure access, including, but not limited to, the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program or other program identified by the department in rule. If a basic life support service or advanced life support service reports such incidents, it shall make its best efforts to make the report to the department within 120 hours after it responds to the incident.

(b)

The data collected by the department shall be made available within 120 hours to law enforcement, public health, fire rescue, and emergency medical service agencies in each county.

(c)

For purposes of this section, the term “overdose” means a condition, including, but not limited to, extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or death resulting from the consumption or use of any controlled substance that requires medical attention, assistance or treatment, and clinical suspicion for drug overdose, such as respiratory depression, unconsciousness, or altered mental status, without other conditions to explain the clinical condition.

(2)(a)

A report of an overdose of a controlled substance under this section shall include:
The date and time of overdose.
The approximate address of where the person was picked up or where the overdose took place.
Whether an emergency opioid antagonist, as defined in s. 381.887, was administered.
Whether the overdose was fatal or nonfatal.
A report of an overdose of a controlled substance under this section shall also include, if the reporting mechanism permits:
The gender and approximate age of the person receiving attention or treatment.
The suspected controlled substance involved in the overdose.

(2)(a)

A report of an overdose of a controlled substance under this section shall include:The date and time of overdose.The approximate address of where the person was picked up or where the overdose took place.Whether an emergency opioid antagonist, as defined in s. 381.887, was administered.Whether the overdose was fatal or nonfatal.
1. The date and time of overdose.
2. The approximate address of where the person was picked up or where the overdose took place.
3. Whether an emergency opioid antagonist, as defined in s. 381.887, was administered.
4. Whether the overdose was fatal or nonfatal.

(b)

A report of an overdose of a controlled substance under this section shall also include, if the reporting mechanism permits:The gender and approximate age of the person receiving attention or treatment.The suspected controlled substance involved in the overdose.
1. The gender and approximate age of the person receiving attention or treatment.
2. The suspected controlled substance involved in the overdose.

(3)

A basic life support service or advanced life support service that reports information to or from the department pursuant to this section in good faith is not subject to civil or criminal liability for making the report.

(4)

Failure to report an overdose under this section is not grounds for disciplinary action or penalties pursuant to s. 401.411(1)(a).

(5)

The department shall produce a quarterly report to the Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council, the Department of Children and Families, and the Florida FUSION Center summarizing the raw data received pursuant to this section. Such reports shall also be made immediately available to the county-level agencies described in paragraph (1)(b). The Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council, the Department of Children and Families, and the department may use these reports to maximize the utilization of funding programs for licensed basic life support service providers or advanced life support service providers, and for the dissemination of available federal, state, and private funds for local substance abuse services in accordance with s. 397.321(4).

Source: Section 401.253 — Reporting of controlled substance overdoses, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0401.­253 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

401.23
Definitions 401.24
Emergency medical services state plan 401.25
Licensure as a basic life support or an advanced life support service 401.26
Vehicle permits for basic life support and advanced life support services 401.27
Personnel 401.30
Records 401.31
Inspection and examination 401.33
Exemptions 401.34
Fees 401.35
Rules 401.38
Participation in federal programs 401.41
Penalties 401.45
Denial of emergency treatment 401.211
Legislative intent 401.243
Injury prevention 401.245
Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council 401.251
Air ambulance service 401.252
Interfacility transfer 401.253
Reporting of controlled substance overdoses 401.254
Treatment of injured police canines 401.265
Medical directors 401.268
Protocols with regional poison control centers 401.271
Certification of emergency medical technicians and paramedics who are on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States 401.272
Emergency medical services community health care 401.273
Emergency medical technician and paramedic registry for disasters and emergencies 401.281
Drivers 401.321
Transferability of license 401.345
Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund 401.411
Disciplinary action 401.414
Complaint investigation procedures 401.421
Injunctive relief 401.425
Emergency medical services quality assurance 401.435
Emergency medical responder agencies and training 401.445
Emergency examination and treatment of incapacitated persons 401.465
911 public safety telecommunicator certification 401.2101
Short title 401.2701
Emergency medical services training programs 401.2715
Recertification training of emergency medical technicians and paramedics 401.2915
Automated external defibrillators 401.2916
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Current through Fall 2025

§ 401.253. Reporting of controlled substance overdoses's source at flsenate​.gov