California Mandated Naloxone Training for CPR Students
A new law signed in September 2026 requires individuals receiving CPR training to also learn how to administer naloxone.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation in September 2026 requiring those undergoing CPR certification to be trained in naloxone administration. This measure aims to increase the number of people capable of reversing opioid overdoses throughout California.
Why it matters
The law seeks to prevent fatal drug overdoses by ensuring that citizens trained in life-saving procedures are also prepared to address opioid-related emergencies in their communities.
Butte County reported 55 overdose deaths in 2024, a figure that remains higher than the California state average. The new mandate aims to bridge this gap by expanding the availability of trained responders.
The players
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom is the Governor of California who signed the legislation requiring expanded naloxone training.
The details
Under the new law, CPR certification programs must now include instruction on administering naloxone, often referred to by the brand name Narcan. Trained individuals will be equipped to intervene when they encounter someone experiencing an opioid-related overdose.
Timeline
55 overdose deaths occurred in Butte County in 2024.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the naloxone training law in September 2026.
Health Landscape
This mandate follows the pattern set by the 2026 California naloxone administration training law by prioritizing community-level intervention for public health crises. It marks a significant shift in integrating substance abuse response into standard first-aid curricula across the state.
Residents seeking CPR certification will now receive mandatory instruction on how to administer naloxone to overdose victims. This change ensures more citizens possess the practical skills to potentially save lives during emergencies in their local area.
The takeaway
Expanding life-saving training to include naloxone administration helps decentralize emergency response capabilities. Residents can proactively seek out updated CPR courses that incorporate these new state-mandated guidelines to ensure they are prepared for local health emergencies.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to address the crisis in California Substance Abuse.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NSPR.
Live Poll
Should your community expand training for CPR-certified workers to include naloxone administration?
