SB 1276 — overdose; disease prevention; programs..

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced Version Current html

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes new overdose and disease prevention programs, outlining their objectives and requirements in Arizona law.

• 36-798.51

  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. A program established pursuant to this section shall have all of the following objectives: 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.

  This new section allows local entities to create overdose and disease prevention programs with specific objectives.

• 36-798.51

  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.

  This establishes mandatory offerings for the overdose and disease prevention programs.

• 36-798.51

  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.

  This mandates the development of disposal and distribution standards for the programs.

• 36-798.52

  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.

  This provides legal immunity to individuals involved with the program regarding possession of certain items.

Action History

1. January 25, 2021

   Senate Second Reading

2. January 21, 2021

   Senate First Reading

Sponsors

• Rosanna Gabaldon · Primary

Subjects