SB 549 — requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

CHAPTER 106 SB 549-FN - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 03/12/2026 1040s 03/12/2026 1162s SESSION 26-2141 09/05 SENATE BILL 549-FN AN ACT requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

CHAPTER 106 SB 549-FN - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 03/12/2026 1040s 03/12/2026 1162s 26-2141 09/05 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

1106:1 New Paragraph;

Strengthening syringe services programs (SSPs) shall seek to achieve and maintain a return rate of 95 percent or higher in each calendar quarter.quarteThe department shall assess performance over rolling 4-quarter periods.

The department shall assess performance over rolling 4-quarter periods.

SB106:2 549-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - 2 Effective Date.

LBAApproved: 26-2141 04/06/2026 SB 549-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENTS #2026-1040s and #2026-1162s) AN ACT requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

FISCALMay IMPACT:28, 2026 Effective Date:

ThisAugust bill26, does2026 notCHAPTER provide106 funding,SB nor549-FN does- itFINAL authorizeVERSION new- positions.Page 2 - 1

Estimated State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Revenue Fund(s) None Expenditures* $0 $115,000 $120,000 $126,000 Funding Source(s) General Fund Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill Estimated Political Subdivision Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Local Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Expenditures $0 Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires all syringe service programs (SSP) that distribute sterile syringes to:

(1) provide free disposal options for used syringes and related paraphernalia;

(2) conduct an annual marketing campaign regarding disposal options;

(3) submit quarterly reports documenting compliance with disposal requirements;

and (4) report syringe return rates and associated methodology, narrative context, and performance factors.

In addition, the bill establishes a 95 percent return rate goal, requires corrective action plans for programs falling below this threshold for two consecutive quarters, and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance upon request.

The Department must also assess performance over rolling four quarter periods and adopt administrative rules to establish a schedule of fines for non-compliance.

The Department states these new, ongoing oversight responsibilities will result in the need for a new, full-time program specialist position, at an estimated cost of $115,000 in FY27, $120,000 in FY28, and $126,000 in FY29.

To the extent that any local funds are budgeted for SSPs, the fiscal impact on municipalities is indeterminable.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Health and Human Services