TRENTON, N.J.
(AP) — Gov. Chris Christie has conditionally vetoed a bill that would
have given immunity from prosecution to those who report drug overdoses.
Christie
took action on Friday, saying he wants to have the state Attorney
General's Office study the issue of overdose reporting for the next 18
months before deciding how to proceed.
The bill easily passed both
chambers of the Legislature earlier this year. The stated intent was to
remove impediments for people who use drugs to report overdoses of
others.
In his statement, Christie says giving immunity is not the
answer. He says drug prevention and treatment programs could help
reduce the number of overdoses.
Democratic Assemblywoman Connie
Wagner, who sponsored the bill, says Christie's "chose to ignore the
reality of the situation" with the veto.
