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5/29/2025
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Assembly approves Rep. O’Brien and Whip Tikoian’s bill to require lifeguards, park rangers to be trained in Narcan use
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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today approved legislation (2025-H 5273A, 2025-S 0343A) sponsored by Rep. William W. O’Brien and Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian that would require all full-time lifeguards, park and forest rangers who work at any public beach or facility to be trained in administering opioid antagonists, such as Narcan.
The legislation was a result of collaborating with North Providence High School student Brennan O’Connor for his senior project. O’Connor approached Representative O’Brien and Whip Tikoian and stressed the need for the legislation. O’Connor then worked with the legislators to understand the legislative process, draft the legislation and usher it through the committee process to the House and Senate floors.
“The sad reality we find ourselves in today is that opioid overdoses can happen anytime and anywhere. This bill will further protect those who are suffering from substance use disorder if they are at any of the state’s beaches or public parks. While we continue to combat the opioid crisis, this bill will save many lives,” said Representative O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence).
“It’s extremely encouraging for legislators when young people from our districts become engaged in the legislative process, motivated by their personal experiences. Brennan took the initiative to contact Representative O’Brien and myself to sponsor this bill, as a result of his experiences during summer employment at Lincoln Woods State Park,” said Whip Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Lincoln).
“This was an eye-opening experience to see firsthand how ideas become laws and I thank Representative O’Brien and Whip Tikoian for taking the time to work with me to pass this lifesaving bill. Almost everyone has been touched by the opioid crisis in one way or another these days, and I felt it was critical to help protect people suffering from addiction issues. This bill will help prevent overdose deaths from happening, and hopefully, help people with substance use disorder get their lives back on track,” said O’Connor.
The bill would also require all state and municipal public beaches or facilities that employ lifeguards, park and forest rangers to keep available a minimum of four doses of opioid antagonist.
The legislation now heads to the governor for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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