Bill Text: NJ S307 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes expanded provision of harm reduction services to distribute sterile syringes and provide certain support services to persons who use drugs intravenously; appropriates $15 million.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S307 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S307-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2022 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Senator NIA H. GILL
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Diegnan and Cunningham
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes expanded provision of harm reduction services to distribute sterile syringes and provide certain support services to persons who use drugs intravenously; appropriates $15 million.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning harm reduction services, supplementing and amending P.L.2006, c.99, and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) As used in P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et al.):
"Authorized harm reduction services " means a suite of harm reduction services, approved by the Department of Health and provided in a manner that is consistent with State and federal law, which services shall include, but shall not be limited to: syringe access, syringe disposal, referrals to health and social services, overdose prevention counseling and supplies, and HIV and hepatitis C testing .
"Eligible entity" means a federally qualified health center, a public health agency, a substance abuse treatment program, an AIDS service organization, or another entity with the capacity to provide harm reduction services as determined by the Department of Health.
2. Section 2 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-26) is amended to read as follows:
2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Injection drug use is one of the most common methods of transmission of HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne pathogens;
b. [About one in every three persons living with HIV or AIDS is female;] (deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)
c. More than a million people in the United States [are frequent intravenous drug users] use drugs at a cost to society in health care, lost productivity, accidents, and crime of more than $50 billion annually;
d. [Sterile syringe access programs] Harm reduction services have been proven effective in reducing the spread of HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne pathogens, and in reducing overdoses and overdose deaths without increasing [drug abuse] rates of substance use or causing other adverse social impacts;
e. Every scientific, medical, and professional agency or organization that has studied this issue, including the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Institutes of Health Consensus Panel, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the United States Conference of Mayors, has found [sterile syringe access programs] harm reduction services to be effective in reducing the transmission of HIV; [and]
f. [Sterile syringe access] Harm reduction programs are designed to prevent the spread of HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne pathogens, prevent overdoses and overdose deaths, and to provide a bridge to [drug abuse] substance use disorder treatment , healthcare services, and [other] social support services [for drug users] sought out by persons who use drugs intravenously ; and it is in the public interest to establish such programs in this State in accordance with statutory guidelines designed to ensure the safety of consumers who use these programs, the health care workers who operate them, and the members of the general public;
g. Despite the attention that substance use disorders and overdose deaths are receiving Statewide, the number of overdose deaths in New Jersey has steadily risen. There was a 40 percent increase in overdose deaths in 2016. In 2018, there were roughly 3,000 overdose deaths in New Jersey and 70,000 overdose deaths nationwide;
h. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the urgency of maintaining and expanding harm reduction services. Now more than ever, harm reduction expansion is critical. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's June 24-30, 2020 mortality and morbidity weekly report, 13 percent of U.S. residents began substance use or increased substance use during the pandemic. New Jersey has already started to see the consequences of the intersecting opioid and COVID-19 crises. As of July 2020 there have been over 1,800 overdose deaths in 2020. If this trend continues, New Jersey will lose 3,144 individuals to overdose in 2020, which would be New Jersey's highest drug-related fatality count in the past decade;
i. The opioid epidemic is part of a syndemic and is associated with increased rates of HIV and hepatitis infection, as well as other social complexities;
j. New Jersey enacted the "Bloodborne Disease Harm Reduction Act" P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et al.) in 2006 to allow for the establishment of sterile syringe access programs, which are hereafter referred to as harm reduction programs. New Jersey now has seven such programs operating throughout the State;
k. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describe harm reduction services as an effective component of a comprehensive and integrated approach to HIV prevention. Such services include providing consumers with sterile syringes , resources for critical services such as HIV care, treatment, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis services, screening for other sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis C testing and treatment, hepatitis A and B vaccinations, and other medical, social, and mental health services. In addition to providing sterile syringes and testing services, programs routinely offer other services, including education concerning safe injection practices, wound care, and overdose prevention;
l. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has stated that there is conclusive scientific evidence that harm reduction services , as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy, are an effective public health intervention that reduces the transmission of HIV and does not encourage the use of illegal drugs;
m. Harm reduction services do not promote drug use and do not minimize the harm and danger associated with lawful and unlawful drug use. Individuals utilizing harm reduction services are often ill, in pain, and have experienced trauma. Harm reduction services are offered to these individuals by professionals who treat the individuals with compassion and who provide these necessary services without judgment;
n. There is evidence demonstrating that crime does not increase in areas in which harm reduction services locations are situated ;
o. Harm reduction services do not interfere with substance use disorder treatment efforts. The services provide a bridge to substance use disorder treatment and other social services for individuals with substance use disorders ;
p. For individuals who inject drugs, the best way to reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting infectious disease through injection drug use is to stop injecting drugs, but for individuals who do not stop injecting drugs, the use of sterile injection equipment can reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting infectious diseases and prevent outbreaks;
q. Research shows that the provision of sterile syringes is associated with an estimated 50 percent reduction in the incidence of HIV and hepatitis C, a greater likelihood that individuals will seek treatment, and decreased overdose rates; and
r. Entities offering harm reduction services in New Jersey provide sterile syringes and operate under a philosophy of harm reduction, which honors the dignity of those who use drugs or are living with a substance use disorder, reduces the negative consequences of injection drug use, and provides a stigma-free environment for people who use drugs by providing the care they desire and need.
(cf: P.L.2016, c.36, s.1)
3. Section 3 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-27) is amended to read as follows:
3. The [Commissioner] Department of Health shall [establish a program to] permit [a municipality to operate a sterile syringe access program] the establishment and operation of harm reduction services in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et [seq.] al. ) [, as amended by P.L.2016, c.36] . The [commissioner] department shall prescribe by regulation requirements for [a municipality to establish, or otherwise authorize the operation within that municipality of, a sterile syringe access program] the establishment and operation of harm reduction services to provide [for the exchange of] hypodermic syringes and needles in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et [seq.] al. ), and consistent with the rules adopted at N.J.A.C.8:63-1.1 et seq., effective April 9, 2007.
a. The [commissioner] department shall:
(1) request [an application] a registration form , to be submitted [on a form and] in a manner [to be] prescribed by the [commissioner] department , from any [municipality] entity that seeks to [establish a sterile syringe access program] provide harm reduction services in New Jersey [, or from other entities authorized to operate a sterile syringe access program within that municipality as provided in paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36];
(2) approve [those applications] any registration request that [meet]meets the requirements established by regulation of the [commissioner] department [and contract with the municipalities or entities whose applications are approved to establish a sterile syringe access program as provided in paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36, to operate a sterile syringe access program in any municipality in which the governing body has authorized the operation of sterile syringe access program within that municipality by ordinance];
(3) support and facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable, the linkage of [sterile syringe access programs] harm reduction services to: (a) health care facilities and programs that may provide appropriate health care services, including mental health services, medication-assisted [drug] treatment services, and other substance [abuse] use disorder treatment services to consumers [participating in a sterile syringe access program] receiving harm reduction services ; and (b) housing assistance programs, career and employment-related counseling programs, and education counseling programs that may provide appropriate ancillary support services to consumers [participating in a sterile syringe access program] receiving harm reduction services ;
(4) provide for the adoption of a uniform [identification] membership card or other uniform Statewide means of identification for consumers, staff, and volunteers of [a sterile syringe access program] entities offering harm reduction services pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28) [, as amended by P.L.2016, c.36]; and
(5) maintain a record of the data reported to the [commissioner] department by [sterile syringe access programs] entities offering harm reduction services pursuant to paragraph (11) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28) [, as amended by P.L.2016, c.36].
b. The [commissioner] department shall be authorized to accept funding as may be made available from the private sector to effectuate the purposes of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et [seq.] al. ) [, as amended by P.L.2016, c.36].
(cf: P.L.2016, c.36, s.2)
4. Section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28) is amended to read as follows:
4. a. In accordance with the provisions of section 3 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-27), [a municipality may establish or authorize establishment of a sterile syringe access program that is approved by the commissioner to provide for the exchange of hypodermic syringes and needles] an eligible entity may be approved by the department to provide harm reduction services.
(1) [A municipality that establishes a sterile syringe access program,] An entity authorized to provide harm reduction services may provide the services at a fixed location or through a mobile access component, and may operate the program directly or contract with one or more of the following entities to operate the program: a hospital or other health care facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), a federally qualified health center, a public health agency, a substance abuse treatment program, an AIDS service organization, or another nonprofit entity designated by the [municipality] department . [These entities shall also be authorized to contract directly with the commissioner in any municipality in which the governing body has authorized the operation of sterile syringe access programs by ordinance pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection. The municipality or entity under contract shall implement the sterile syringe access program in consultation with a federally qualified health center and the New Jersey Office on Minority and Multicultural Health in the Department of Health, and] An entity authorized to provide harm reduction services shall be managed in consultation with the Division of HIV, STD, and TB Services in the Department of Health in a [culturally competent] manner that is consistent with national best practices for the provision of harm reduction services .
(2) [Pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 3 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-27), a municipality whose governing body has authorized the operation of sterile syringe access programs within the municipality may require within the authorizing ordinance that an entity as described in paragraph (1) of this subsection obtain approval from the municipality, in a manner prescribed by the authorizing ordinance, to operate a sterile syringe access program prior to obtaining approval from the commissioner to operate such a program, or may permit the entity to obtain approval to operate such a program by application directly to the commissioner without obtaining prior approval from the municipality.] (deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)
(3) [Two or more municipalities may jointly establish or authorize establishment of a sterile syringe access program that operates within those municipalities pursuant to adoption of an ordinance by each participating municipality pursuant to this section.] (deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)
b. [A sterile syringe access program] An entity authorized to provide harm reduction services shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Sterile syringes and needles shall be provided at no cost to consumers 18 years of age and older , provided that the department may authorize sterile syringes and needles to be provided at no cost to consumers under 18 years of age in limited circumstances, at the department's discretion ;
(2) [Program staff shall be trained and regularly supervised in] An entity authorized to provide harm reduction services shall be responsible for training program staff in the following subjects: harm reduction; substance use disorder[,] ; medical and social service referrals; [and] infection control procedures, including universal precautions and needle stick injury protocol; and [programs] other subjects as determined by the entity authorized to provide harm reduction services and the department. Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall maintain records of staff and volunteer training [and of hepatitis C and tuberculosis screening provided to volunteers and staff] ;
(3) [The program] Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall offer information about HIV, hepatitis C and other bloodborne pathogens and [prevention materials] information concerning the safe use of drugs by intravenous injection at no cost to consumers, and shall seek to educate all consumers about safe and proper disposal of needles and syringes;
(4) [The program] Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall provide information and referrals to consumers, including HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infection testing options, access to medication-assisted substance use disorder treatment programs and other substance use disorder treatment programs, and available health and social service options relevant to the [consumer's] needs of consumers . The [program] entity shall encourage consumers to receive [an] HIV [test, and shall, when appropriate, develop an individualized substance use disorder treatment plan for each participating consumer] , hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infection tests;
(5) [The program] Except as may otherwise be authorized by the department pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall screen out consumers under 18 years of age from access to syringes and needles, and shall refer them to substance use disorder treatment and other appropriate programs for youth;
(6) [The program] Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall develop a plan for the handling and disposal of used syringes and needles in accordance with requirements set forth at N.J.A.C.7:26-3A.1 et seq. for regulated medical waste disposal pursuant to the "Comprehensive Regulated Medical Waste Management Act," P.L.1989, c.34 (C.13:1E-48.1 et al.), and shall also develop and maintain protocols for post-exposure treatment;
(7) (a) [The program] Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services may obtain a standing order, pursuant to the "Overdose Prevention Act," P.L.2013, c.46 (C.24:6J-1 et [seq.] al. ), authorizing [program] staff of the entity to carry and dispense naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antidote to consumers and [the] to family members and friends [thereof] of consumers ;
(b) [The program] Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall provide overdose prevention information to consumers [, the] and to family members and friends [thereof] of consumers , and to other persons associated [therewith] with consumers and their family members and friends , as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of section 5 of the "Overdose Prevention Act," P.L.2013, c.46 (C.24:6J-5);
(8) [The program] Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall maintain the confidentiality and security of information about consumers [by the use of confidential identifiers, which shall consist of the first two letters of the first name of the consumer's mother and the two-digit day of birth and two-digit year of birth of the consumer, or by the use of such other uniform Statewide mechanism as may be approved by the commissioner for this purpose] receiving harm reduction services through appropriate administrative, technical, and physical controls and safeguards that protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of individually identifiable information about consumers ;
(9) [The program] Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall provide a uniform [identification] membership card that has been approved by the [commissioner] department to consumers and to staff and volunteers involved in transporting, exchanging or possessing syringes and needles, or shall provide for such other uniform Statewide means of identification as may be approved by the [commissioner] department for this purpose;
(10) [The program] Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall provide consumers at the time of enrollment with a schedule of [program] the entity's operation hours and locations, in addition to information about prevention and harm reduction and substance use disorder treatment services; and
(11) [The program] Entities authorized to provide harm reduction services shall establish and implement accurate data collection methods and procedures as required by the [commissioner] department for the purpose of evaluating the [sterile syringe access] provision of harm reduction [programs, including the monitoring and evaluation on a quarterly basis of:] services.
(a) [sterile syringe access program participation rates , including the number of consumers who enter substance use disorder treatment programs and the status of their treatment] (deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)
(b) [the effectiveness of the sterile syringe access programs in meeting their objectives, including, but not limited to, return rates of syringes and needles distributed to consumers and the impact of the sterile syringe access programs on intravenous drug use; and] (deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)
(c) [the number and type of referrals provided by the sterile syringe access programs and the specific actions taken by the sterile syringe access programs on behalf of each consumer] (deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) .
c. [A municipality may terminate a sterile syringe access program established or authorized pursuant to this act, which is operating within that municipality, if its governing body approves such an action by ordinance, in which case the municipality shall notify the commissioner of its action in a manner prescribed by regulation of the commissioner.] The department shall have sole authority to terminate authorization for an entity to provide harm reduction services that was approved by the department, without the need for application or approval by the host municipality. Prior to authorizing an entity to provide harm reduction services in a municipality, the department shall meet with the municipality's mayor and council, as appropriate, in-person or through video or phone conference, and present to the municipality detailed plans for the provision of harm reduction services , including information on the expected benefits from the provision of harm reduction services in the municipality . The department shall maintain direct and open communication with the municipality prior to and during the process of initiating the provision of harm reduction services in the municipality and shall promptly respond to concerns and other issues raised by the municipality.
(cf: P.L.2017, c.131, s.104)
5. Section 5 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-29) is amended to read as follows:
5. a. (1) The Commissioner of Health shall report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, 164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature, no later than one year after the effective date of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et [seq.] al. ) and biennially thereafter, on the status of [sterile syringe access programs established] harm reduction services provided by entities authorized to provide those services pursuant to sections 3 and 4 [of] of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-27 and C.26:5C-28), [as amended by P.L.2016, c.36,] and shall include in that report the data provided to the [commissioner] department by each [sterile syringe access program] entity authorized to provide harm reduction services pursuant to paragraph (11) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28) [, as amended by P.L.2016, c.36].
(2) For the purpose of each biennial report pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the [commissioner] department shall:
(a) [consult with local law enforcement authorities regarding the impact of the sterile syringe access programs on the rate and volume of crime in the affected municipalities and include that information in the report] collaborate with local stakeholders, including healthcare providers, healthcare systems, social services providers, and law enforcement, to provide education and collect data on the value of providing harm reduction services in municipalities in which the services are provided ; and
(b) [seek to obtain data from public safety and emergency medical services providers Statewide regarding] determine the type of data to be reported and shared, which may include the number of consumers served, the number of syringes distributed, the number of referrals made to social support services and healthcare providers, overall crime statistics, and the incidence and [location] locations of needle stick injuries [to their personnel and include that information in the report] .
b. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2016, c.36)
c. The [commissioner] department shall prepare a detailed analysis of [the sterile syringe access programs] harm reduction services provided pursuant to P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et al.) , and report on the results of that analysis to the Governor, the Governor's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and Related Blood-Borne Pathogens, and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature annually. The analysis shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) any increase or decrease in the spread of HIV, hepatitis C and other bloodborne pathogens that may be transmitted by the use of contaminated syringes and needles;
(2) the number of exchanged syringes and needles and an evaluation of the disposal of syringes and needles that are not returned by consumers;
(3) the number of consumers [participating in the sterile syringe access programs] receiving harm reduction services and an assessment of their reasons for [participating in the programs] accessing those services ;
(4) the number of consumers [in the sterile syringe access programs] receiving harm reduction services who participated in substance use disorder treatment programs; and
(5) the number of consumers [in the sterile syringe access programs] receiving harm reduction services who benefited from counseling and referrals to programs and entities that are relevant to their health, housing, social service, employment and other needs.
d. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2016, c.36)
(cf: P.L.2017, c.131, s.105)
6. Section 7 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-31) is amended to read as follows:
7. a. [The] Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Commissioner of Health [and Senior Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and], pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of [sections 3 and 4 of] P.L.2006, c.99 [(C.26:5C-27 and C.26:5C-28)] (C.26:5C-25 et al.).
b. Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the commissioner shall adopt, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law [and no later than the 90th day after the effective date of this act,] and no later than the 90th day after the effective date of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:2C-25 et al.), such regulations as the commissioner deems necessary to implement the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-27 and C.26:5C-28), which shall be effective until the adoption of rules and regulations pursuant to subsection a. of this section and may be amended, adopted or readopted by the commissioner in accordance with the requirements of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) .
c. Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the commissioner may adopt, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law, such regulations as the commissioner deems necessary to implement the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), which shall be effective for a period not to exceed 180 days and thereafter may be amended, adopted or readopted by the commissioner in accordance with the requirements of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).
(cf: P.L.2006, c.99, s.7)
7. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health the sum of $5,000,000 for use by the department in supporting harm reduction services provided pursuant to this act. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services the sum of $10,000,000 for inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder treatment program slots and outreach.
8. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill authorizes expanded access to harm reduction services, which describes a range of services provided to persons who use drugs intravenously, including providing those individuals with sterile syringes, testing those individuals for bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis C, and providing those individuals with additional support services. Currently, these services are provided through programs known as "syringe access programs."
Current law provides that municipalities may establish a harm reduction program, subject to certain requirements, including a requirement that harm reduction programs work with certain entities to provide a broad range of support services to consumers, including: health care facilities and programs that may provide appropriate health care services, including mental health services, medication-assisted treatment, and other substance use disorder treatment services; housing assistance programs; career and employment-related counseling programs; and education counseling programs. Programs are to additionally provide for the adoption of a uniform identification card or other uniform Statewide means of identification for consumers, staff, and volunteers of a harm reduction program and maintain, records related to program activity, and report certain data to the Commissioner of Health to assist in evaluating the impact of the programs.
This bill revises the current law to allow any entity to provide a harm reduction services upon registration with the Department of Health (DOH), subject to the same general operational requirements as currently apply, including certain training requirements for staff related to harm reduction, substance use disorder, medical and social service referrals, infection control procedures, including universal precautions and needle stick injury protocols, and other subjects as determined by the entity providing harm reduction services and the DOH. Entities providing harm reduction services are to maintain records of staff and volunteer training. Other requirements include age restrictions for participation, which are subject to exceptions as may be approved by the DOH, requirements related to the security and confidentiality of individually identifiable information related to consumers, and data collection requirements.
The DOH will have the sole authority to terminate an authorization to provide harm reduction services under the bill.
The bill provides that harm reduction services are to be managed in consultation with the Division of HIV, STD, and TB Services in the DOH.
Prior to authorizing an entity to provide harm reduction services in a municipality, the DOH is to meet with the municipality's mayor and council, as appropriate, in person or through video or phone conference, and present to the municipality detailed plans for the provision of harm reduction services, including information on the expected benefits from the provision of harm reduction services in the municipality. The DOH will be required to maintain direct and open communication with the municipality prior to and during the initiation of harm reduction services in the municipality, and promptly respond to concerns and other issues raised by the municipality.
The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the DOH to support harm reduction services, and $10 million from the General Fund to the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services for inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder treatment program slots and outreach.
