Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Act No. 178                                                                                   Page 1 of 1
2024
This act summary is provided for the convenience of the public and members of the General Assembly. It
is intended to provide a general summary of the act and may not be exhaustive. It has been prepared by the
staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel without input from members of the General Assembly. It is not
intended to aid in the interpretation of legislation or to serve as a source of legislative intent.
Act No. 178 (H.72). An act relating to a harm-reduction criminal justice response to drug
      use
        Subjects: Crimes; health; human services; regulated drugs
           This act establishes statutory requirements for an overdose prevention center and
        provides limited criminal and civil immunity to those who use the services of a center
        and the individuals and entities who operate the center in accordance with rules adopted
        by the Department of Health. Among other services regarding harm reduction, an
        overdose prevention center provides a space, either at a fixed location or a mobile
        facility, supervised by health care professionals or other trained staff where persons who
        use drugs can consume preobtained drugs and medication for substance use disorder.
           The act appropriates in FY 25 $1,100,000.00 to the Department of Health from the
        Opioid Abatement Special Fund for the purpose of awarding grants to the City of
        Burlington for establishing an overdose prevention center upon submission of a grant
        proposal that has been approved by the Burlington City Council and meets the
        requirements of 18 V.S.A. § 4256, including the guidelines developed by the Department
        of Health. The Department of Health is required to report on or before October 1, 2024,
        January 1, 2025, April 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025, to the Joint Fiscal Committee and the
        Joint Health Reform Oversight Committee regarding the status of distribution of the
        grants to Burlington.
            On or before December 1, 2024, the Department of Health is directed to contract with
        a researcher or independent consulting entity with expertise in the field of rural addiction
        or overdose prevention centers, or both, to study the impact of the overdose prevention
        center pilot program authorized in Sec. 2 of this act. The study shall evaluate the current
        impacts of the overdose crisis in Vermont, as well as any changes up to four years
        following the implementation of the overdose prevention center pilot program. The study
        is funded in FY 25 with a $300,000.00 appropriation to the Department of Health from
        the Opioid Abatement Special Fund.
        Effective Date: June 17, 2024
                                                                                          VT LEG #377604 v.2
Statutes affected: 
As Introduced: 18-4254, 18-4231, 13-5453
As Passed By the House -- Official: 18-4254, 18-4231, 13-5453, 18-4475(2), 18-4475, 18-4478, 33-2004, 33-2004a
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 18-4254, 18-4475(2), 18-4475, 18-4478, 33-2004, 33-2004a
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 18-4254, 18-4231, 13-5453, 18-4475(2), 18-4475, 18-4478, 33-2004, 33-2004a, 18-4475(a)(2), 18-4475(a)
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 18-4475(a)(2), 18-4475, 18-4475(a), 18-4478
As Enacted: 18-4475(a)(2), 18-4475, 18-4475(a), 18-4478