House Bill 275 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-1-136, regarding needle and hypodermic syringe exchange programs. The bill modifies the existing regulation by deleting the previous subsection (g) and replacing it with new language that prohibits these programs from conducting exchanges within one thousand feet of a school or public park. Additionally, it introduces a specific exception for municipalities with a population between 55,440 and 55,450, as per the 2020 federal census, allowing them to conduct exchanges within two thousand feet of such locations.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, emphasizing the public welfare aspect of the legislation. The changes aim to balance public health initiatives with community safety concerns by establishing clear distance regulations for needle exchange programs in relation to schools and parks.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-1-136
Amended with SA0218 -- 03/23/2023: 68-1-136