§ 8202. Declaration of policy.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Life-threatening overdoses of heroin and other
opioids provide a unique health problem to the residents of
this Commonwealth.
(2) The use of heroin and other opioids can constitute a
life-threatening addiction which deprives users of the
capacity to exercise self-control, judgment and discretion in
making basic decisions.
(3) The use of opioid blockers has saved the lives of
users of heroin and other opioids; however, the effect of the
blocker is relatively short-lived and is of shorter duration
than the effect of heroin or other opioids.
(4) It is in the public interest to ensure individuals
who have overdosed on heroin or other opioids are not
immediately released and to ensure that assessment is
completed to protect them, their children who are minors,
other members of their families and their communities.
§ 8203. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Health care practitioner." An individual authorized to
practice a component of the healing arts with a license, permit
or registration.
"Health care provider." An individual, trust, estate,
partnership, corporation, association, joint stock company, the
Commonwealth, political subdivision, instrumentality, municipal
corporation or authority that operates a hospital.
"Hospital." The term includes general, specialty and
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