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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, design, and regulate a proven approach to

prevent drug overdoses through the establishment of "harm reduction centers", which as used in

this chapter shall be defined as a community based resource for health screening, disease prevention

and recovery assistance where persons may safely consume pre-obtained controlled substances.

     (b) Each harm reduction center shall provide the necessary medical supervision 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's

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 who has been recently incarcerated and currently being treated for a substance abuse

disorder; one of whom shall be a person who identifies as a person in recovery who works in the

field of overdose prevention or recovery; 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 person who has suffered a drug overdose or a family member thereof.

     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, but not limited to, the following:

     (1) Maximizing the potential public health, disease prevention, and safety benefits of harm

reduction centers;

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

     (3) The appropriate referral resources available to assist in 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 medical and public health efforts;

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

     (8) Regulatory process for a harm reduction center to provide for medically supervised

consumption;

     (9) Public education of the need for the establishment of harm reduction centers;

     (10) Data tracking;

     (11) Appropriate staffing requirements to ensure the safe operation of harm reduction

centers;

     (12) Any factors necessary to promote the sustainability of harm reduction centers; and

     (13) Educating law enforcement and other appropriate state and municipal officials about

the immunity from liability granted individuals and entities in the creation and operation of harm

reduction centers; as established by this chapter.

     23-12.10-4. Liability protections.

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     Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a person or entity, including, but not limited

to, property owners, managers, employees, volunteers, clients or participants, and state, city, or

town government employees acting in the course and scope of employment, shall not be arrested,

charged, or prosecuted pursuant to §§ 21-28-4.01(c)(1), 21-28-4.06, 21-28-4.08, 21-28-5.06, or 21-

28.5-2, including for attempting, aiding and abetting, or conspiracy to commit a violation of any of

those sections; nor have their property subject to forfeiture; nor be subject to any civil or

administrative penalty, including, but not limited to, disciplinary action by a professional licensing

board, credentialing restrictions, contractual or civil liability, or medical staff or other employment

action; nor be denied any right or privilege for actions, conduct, or omissions relating to the

approval or operation of a harm reduction center in compliance with this chapter and any rules and

regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.

     23-12.10-5. Promulgation of rules and regulations.

     The director of the department of health shall promulgate rules and regulations authorized

by this chapter no later than January 1, 2022, and such rules and regulations shall be transmitted to

the appropriate heads of municipalities, and any other agencies and organizations the director

deems appropriate.

     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 as 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 rules and regulations on or before January 1, 2022 for the implementation of the

pilot program.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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