SB 13 Summary

• Establishes a permanent sterile needle and syringe exchange program administered by the State Division of Public Health to prevent transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B, and other blood-borne diseases among injection drug users.

• Program provides sterile needles and syringes in exchange for used ones, along with HIV testing, health counseling, substance abuse treatment referrals, and education on disease transmission and safe practices.

• Exempts program participants and staff from criminal liability under Title 16 (drug paraphernalia laws) when directly engaged in authorized program activities, though redistribution of needles and drug possession remain prosecutable offenses.

• Creates an Oversight Committee including law enforcement, physicians, current/former drug users, legislators, elected officials, and citizens to monitor program effectiveness and review data on participants served, HIV testing results, and treatment referrals.

• Establishes confidentiality protections for participant records and identification information, with exceptions for written consent by participants or when participants raise program participation as a legal defense in court proceedings.