SPONSOR: Stevens (46)
This bill requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to establish a sterile needle and syringe exchange pilot program that will offer free exchange of clean and unused hypodermic needles and syringes for used needles and syringes as a means to prevent the spread of disease through intravenous drug use, reduce the risk of needle stick injuries, and encourage individuals who inject drugs to enroll in treatment. The program must provide educational materials, counseling, testing, and referral services. The program shall have at least one exchange site in each of Missouri's eight Congressional districts, as long as sufficient interest and funding exists. No state funds shall be used to implement this program, but the department may accept other funds to implement the program. The department will establish a registration process for entities desiring to serve as a needle exchange site outside of the pilot program. The program will collect data to report to the General Assembly by January 2, 2023. The pilot program expires on June 30, 2023.
The possession, distribution, or exchange of needles or syringes as part of the pilot program shall not be a violation of provisions of law prohibiting the distribution, delivery, sale, or manufacture of drug paraphernalia.
This bill is the same as HB 553 (2019) and similar to HB 1467 (2018).
Statutes affected: