SB 1276 Summary

• Authorizes cities, towns, counties, and nongovernmental organizations to establish overdose and disease prevention programs.

• Programs must offer free needles and syringes in sufficient quantities to prevent sharing, naloxone access or referrals, educational materials on overdose prevention and disease transmission, and treatment referrals for substance use and mental health conditions.

• Programs must ensure that the number of needles and syringes disposed of is at least equivalent to the number distributed and develop standards based on scientific evidence and best practices.

• Provides immunity for program employees, volunteers, and participants from prosecution for possessing needles, syringes, or residual controlled substances obtained from or returned to an authorized program, subject to verification of participation.