• Allows any governmental or nongovernmental organization, or a person or entity, that promotes scientifically proven ways of mitigating health risks associated with drug use and other high-risk behaviors to establish and operate a needle and hypodermic syringe access program. Sets program goal requirements:

  • (1) reducing the spread of HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases;

  • (2) reducing the potential for needle stick injuries from discarded contaminated equipment; and

  • (3) facilitating connections or linkages to evidence-based treatment.

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• Requires programs established under this Act to provide all of the following:

  • (1) Disposal of used needles and hypodermic syringes.

  • (2) Needles, hypodermic syringes, and other safer drug consumption supplies, at no cost and in quantities sufficient to ensure that needles, hypodermic syringes, or other supplies are not shared or reused.

  • (3) Educational materials or training on

    • (A) overdose prevention and intervention; and

    • (B) the prevention of HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, and other common bloodborne diseases resulting from shared drug consumption equipment and supplies.

  • (4) Access to opioid antagonists approved for the reversal of an opioid overdose, or referrals to programs that provide access to opioid antagonists approved for the reversal of an opioid overdose.

  • (5) Linkages to needed services, including mental health treatment, housing programs, substance use disorder treatment, and other relevant community services.

  • (6) Individual consultations from a trained employee tailored to individual needs.

  • (7) If feasible, a hygienic, separate space for individuals who need to administer a prescribed injectable medication that can also be used as a quiet space to gather composure in the event of an adverse on-site incident, such

  • as a nonfatal overdose.

  • (8) If feasible, access to on-site drug adulterant testing supplies such as reagents, test strips, or quantification instruments that provide critical real-time information on the composition of substances obtained for consumption.

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• Provides the following additional provisions:

  • Civil liability exemption for law enforcement officers who arrest or charge someone later found to be entitled to immunity under this law.

  • Established programs must register with IDPH.

  • Allows IDPH to report out annually re: statewide overdose data (fatal and nonfatal), and the substance use treatment capacity across the state.