Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes local health authorities and organizations that contract with a county, municipality, hospital district, or other local government entity to establish a disease control program that includes the anonymous exchange of hypodermic needles and syringes beginning September 1, 2009.

Highlights:

-Authorizes the program to charge a fee for each hypodermic needle or syringe used in the program, provided that the fee does not exceed 150 percent of the actual cost of the needle or syringe (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the program to provide education on the transmission and prevention of communicable diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, and assist program participants in obtaining health-related services, including substance abuse treatment services and blood-borne disease testing (Sec. 1). -Requires the organization operating the program to annually report to the Department of State Health Services on the effectiveness of the program, the program's impact on reducing the spread of communicable diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, and the program's effect on injected drug use in the area served by the local health authority (Sec 1). -This is a substitute bill sponsored by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

Full Bill Text