REFERENCE TITLE: overdose; disease
prevention; programs |
State of
Arizona House of
Representatives Fifty-fourth
Legislature Second Regular
Session 2020 |
HB 2608 |
|
Introduced by Representative Rivero |
AN ACT
Amending title
36, chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 15; relating to
public health.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 36, chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 15, to read:
ARTICLE 15. OVERDOSE AND DISEASE PREVENTION
36-798.51. Overdose and disease prevention programs; requirements; standards
A. A city, town, county or
nongovernmental organization, including a local health department or an
organization that promotes scientifically proven ways of mitigating health
risks associated with drug use and other high‑risk behaviors, or any
combination of these entities, may establish and operate an overdose and
disease prevention program. The objectives of a program established
pursuant to this section shall be all of the following:
1. To reduce the spread of viral
hepatitis, HIV and other bloodborne diseases in this state.
2. To reduce needle-stick injuries to
law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel.
3. To encourage individuals who
inject drugs to enroll in evidence‑based treatment.
4. To increase proper disposal of
used syringes.
5. To reduce the occurrence of skin
and soft tissue wounds and infections related to injection drug use.
B. A program established pursuant to
this section shall offer all of the following:
1. Disposal of used needles and
hypodermic syringes.
2. Needles, hypodermic syringes and
other injection supply items at no cost and in quantities sufficient to ensure
that needles, hypodermic syringes and other injection supply items are not
shared or reused.
3. Educational materials on all of
the following:
(a) Overdose
prevention.
(b) Peer
support services.
(c) The
prevention of HIV, viral hepatitis transmission and the incidence of skin and
soft tissue wounds and infections.
(d) Treatment
for mental illness, including treatment referrals.
(e) Treatment
for substance use disorder, including referrals for substance use disorder
treatment.
4. Access to kits that contain
Naloxone hydrochloride or any other opioid antagonist that is approved by the
United States food and drug administration to treat a drug overdose, or
referrals to programs that provide access to naloxone hydrochloride or any
other opioid antagonist that is approved by the United States food and drug
administration to treat a drug overdose.
5. For each individual who requests
services, personal consultations from a program employee or volunteer
concerning mental health or substance use disorder treatment or referrals for
evidence-based substance use disorder treatment, as appropriate.
C. A program established pursuant to
this section shall develop standards for distributing and disposing of needles
and hypodermic syringes based on scientific evidence and best
practices. The number of needles and hypodermic syringes disposed of
through a program shall be at least equivalent to the number of needles and
hypodermic syringes distributed through the program.
36-798.52. Immunity
A. Notwithstanding title 13, chapter
34, an employee, volunteer or participant of a program established pursuant to
section 36‑798.51 may not be charged with or prosecuted for possession of
any of the following:
1. A needle, hypodermic syringe or
other injection supply item obtained from or returned to a program established
pursuant to section 36‑798.51.
2. A residual amount of a controlled
substance contained in a used needle, used hypodermic syringe or used injection
supply item obtained from or returned to a program established pursuant to
section 36‑798.51.
B. Subsection A of this section
applies only if the person claiming immunity provides verification that a
needle, hypodermic syringe or other injection supply item was obtained from an
overdose and disease prevention program established pursuant to section 36‑798.51.