S.B. 1433 - Summary

• Transitions Hawaii's Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program from a one-to-one exchange model to a needs-based distribution system that provides sterile needles and syringes in quantities sufficient to reduce sharing and reuse.

• Adds five new definitions to the program: "authorized objects" (cookers, cottons, ties), "needs-based distribution," "program staff," "residue," and "syringe exchange participant."

• Removes the requirement that the program exclude non-injection drug users, allowing the program to serve individuals in need when resources are available while limiting needle and syringe distribution to injection drug users only.

• Provides criminal liability protection for program staff and syringe exchange participants for possession and delivery of needles, syringes, authorized objects, and used injection equipment containing drug residue under specified conditions.

• Grants law enforcement officers acting in good faith immunity from civil liability for arrests or charges later determined to be exempt under the program's liability provisions.