FL H0491

Establishes a sterile needle and syringe exchange pilot program in Miami-Dade County administered by the Department of Health or a designated entity (hospital, health clinic, substance abuse treatment program, HIV/AIDS organization, or nonprofit).

Needle and syringe possession, distribution, and exchange under the pilot program are not violations of Florida's drug abuse laws or any other law.

Program participants and staff cannot be prosecuted for possession of needles/syringes that are part of the program or for redistribution outside it, but remain subject to prosecution for possessing needles not part of the program or unauthorized redistribution.

Prohibits collection of personal identifying information from participants; requires collection of data on participants served, needles exchanged, demographic profiles, drug treatment referrals, and HIV/AIDS testing for annual and final reporting.

Pilot program expires July 1, 2019 (or 5 years after a designee begins operation); must be funded through private grants and donations with no state funds; Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability must submit evaluation report 6 months before expiration.