2021 -- S 0016

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - HARM REDUCTION CENTER ADVISORY

COMMITTEE AND PILOT PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Senators Miller, Goodwin, McCaffrey, Archambault, Lombardi, Ciccone,
Quezada, Lombardo, Sosnowski, and Murray

     Date Introduced: January 15, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 12.10

HARM REDUCTION CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PILOT PROGRAM

     23-12.10-1. Purpose and creation.

     (a) The purpose of this chapter is to authorize a pilot program to prevent drug overdoses

through the establishment of harm reduction centers, which are locations where persons may safely

consume pre-obtained controlled substances.

     (b) Each harm reduction center shall provide the necessary health care professionals to

prevent overdose, and shall provide referrals for counseling or other medical treatment that may be

appropriate for persons utilizing the harm reduction center.

     (c) The director of the department of health shall promulgate regulations to authorize the

program established by this section. Nothing contained in this section authorizes a harm reduction

center without approval of the municipality in which the center is proposed.

     23-12.10-2. Establishment of advisory committee.

     There is hereby established an advisory committee to advise the director of the department

of health with respect to the regulations necessary to effectuate the purpose of this chapter. The

advisory committee shall be chaired by the director of the department of health, or the director

designee, and consist of nine (9) additional members: one of whom shall be the attorney general or

designee; one member from the Rhode Island Medical Society; one member from the Hospital

Association of Rhode Island; one member from the Rhode Island chapter of the American Society

of Addiction Medicine; and five (5) members approved by the governor, one of whom shall be a

person with a substance abuse disorder; one of whom shall be a person working in overdose

prevention; one of whom shall be a current or former law enforcement official; one of whom shall

be a representative of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns; and one of whom shall be a

family member of a person who suffered a fatal drug overdose.

     23-12.10-3. Role of advisory committee.

     (a) The advisory committee shall make recommendations to the director of the department

of health with respect to the following:

     (1) Maximizing the potential public health and safety benefits of harm reduction centers;

     (2) The proper disposal of hypodermic needles and syringes;

     (3) The recovery of persons utilizing such harm reduction centers;

     (4) Federal, state and local laws impacting the creation and operation of the harm reduction

centers;

     (5) Appropriate guidance to relevant professional licensing boards;

     (6) Potential collaboration with other public health efforts;

     (7) Consideration of any other factors beneficial to promoting the public health and safety;

and

     (8) Liability protection for property owners, harm reduction staff, and volunteers and

participants, from criminal or civil liability resulting from the operation of a harm reduction center.

     23-12.10-4. Promulgation of regulations.

     The director of the department of health shall promulgate regulations authorized by this

chapter no later than January 1, 2022, and such regulations shall be transmitted to the general

assembly.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - HARM REDUCTION CENTER ADVISORY

COMMITTEE AND PILOT PROGRAM

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     This act would create a pilot program to establish harm reduction centers, facilities wherein

persons may use pre-obtained controlled substances under the supervision of health care

professionals. The director of the department of health, with the advice of an advisory committee,

would promulgate regulations on or before January 1, 2022 with respect to this act.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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