House Bill 2608 Summary

• Authorizes cities, towns, counties, and nongovernmental organizations to establish overdose and disease prevention programs to reduce bloodborne disease transmission, needle-stick injuries, and injection-related infections.

• Requires programs to provide needle and syringe disposal, free injection supplies in sufficient quantities to prevent sharing, educational materials on overdose prevention and disease transmission, naloxone access, and treatment referrals for substance use disorder and mental health services.

• Mandates programs develop standards for needle and syringe distribution and disposal based on scientific evidence, with disposed needles equaling or exceeding distributed needles.

• Provides immunity from drug possession charges under Arizona law for program employees, volunteers, and participants for needles, syringes, and residual controlled substances obtained from or returned to the program, contingent on verification of program participation.