SB169 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Injection-Associated Infectious Disease Elimination Act to authorize the Department of Public Health and local health authorities to operate pilot programs in counties with demonstrated need for up to three years.

• Programs must safely dispose of needles and syringes, provide free injection supplies, distribute naloxone kits, offer treatment referrals, and provide educational materials on overdose prevention, infectious disease prevention, and substance abuse treatment.

• Grants limited criminal immunity to program participants who carry a wallet certificate card for possession of needles, syringes, and residual controlled substances related to the program.

• Provides civil and criminal immunity to program employees, volunteers, health care providers, law enforcement, and organizations participating in or supporting the program's activities.

• Requires local health authorities to report annually to the Department of Public Health on participants served, supplies distributed, referrals provided, and naloxone kits distributed.