HB 791

Abstract

Comprehensive harm reduction programs. Repeals the sunset on the authority of the Commissioner of Health to establish and operate local or regional comprehensive harm reduction programs that include the distribution of sterile hypodermic needles and syringes and the disposal of used hypodermic needles and syringes; allows a local health department or other organization that promotes scientifically proven methods of mitigating health risks associated with drug use and other high-risk behaviors to establish comprehensive harm reduction programs, if authorized by the Commissioner of Health; and eliminates the requirement that comprehensive harm reduction programs be located in communities for which data indicates an increase in or increased risk of transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis, or other blood-borne disease as a result of injection drug use.

Comprehensive harm reduction programs. Repeals the sunset on the authority of the Commissioner of Healthto establish and operate local or regional comprehensive harm reductionprograms that include the distribution of sterile hypodermic needles and syringes and the disposal of used hypodermic needles and syringes;allows a local health department or other organization that promotesscientifically proven methods of mitigating health risks associatedwith drug use and other high-risk behaviors to establish comprehensiveharm reduction programs; and eliminates the requirement that comprehensiveharm reduction programs be located in communities for which data indicatesan increase in or increased risk of transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis,or other blood-borne disease as a result of injection drug use. Thebill includes an emergency clause.