The bill amends Chapter 23-12.10 of the General Laws, changing its title to "HARM REDUCTION CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PROGRAM" and extending the sunset provision of the pilot program aimed at preventing drug overdoses through harm reduction centers from March 1, 2026, to March 1, 2028. The bill establishes that harm reduction centers will serve as community-based resources for health screening, disease prevention, and recovery assistance, allowing individuals to safely consume pre-obtained substances under the supervision of healthcare professionals.

The bill emphasizes the requirement for municipal authorization and approval before any harm reduction center can operate, detailing the necessary steps for obtaining such approval from local governing bodies. It mandates that the director of the department of health and the attorney general submit a report by January 31, 2028, which will include data on the number of individuals served by each harm reduction center, the number of individuals connected to health services, information on the occurrence of and/or prevention of overdoses or deaths associated with each harm reduction center, and recommendations for the continuation of the program.

Statutes affected:
5171: 23-12.10-1, 23-12.10-6