HB455 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack Williams
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Injection-Associated infectious disease elimination, pilot programs by Dept. of Public Health and local health authorities authorized, limited criminal immunity granted
Summary: HB455 creates pilot programs to reduce injection-related infectious diseases in Alabama and grants limited immunity to participants and program staff to encourage participation.
What This Bill Does
The bill lets the Department of Public Health or local health authorities set up injection-associated infectious disease elimination pilot programs in counties with demonstrated need, for up to three years (extendable if needed). The programs aim to reduce HIV and HCV spread, lower needle-stick injuries, and encourage drug users to seek treatment. They must provide safe needle disposal, free needles (not funded with state money), education, naloxone access or referrals, and referrals to health and social services, all while keeping participant records anonymous; a wallet card confirms immunity for participants and staff actions are shielded from civil/criminal liability under specified conditions.

Who It Affects
People who inject drugs in participating counties, who may receive needles, education, medical and social referrals, and may obtain limited criminal immunity if they are active program participants.
Health care providers, law enforcement officers, first responders, and program staff or volunteers involved with the pilot, who receive liability protections and operate under the program's guidelines.

Key Provisions
Authorization for the Department of Public Health or local health authorities to establish and operate injection-associated infectious disease elimination pilot programs in counties with demonstrated need, for up to three years (extendable if there is ongoing demonstrated need).
Program objectives to reduce the spread of HIV, HCV, and other injection-related diseases; reduce needle-stick injuries; and encourage participants to enroll in evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders.
Operational requirements include safe disposal of used injection supplies; provision of needles/syringes at no cost (without using state funds to purchase them); educational materials on overdose prevention, disease prevention, and treatment options; access to naloxone or referrals to programs that provide it; confidential recordkeeping; emergency care or referrals; and annual reporting of program data.
Immunity provisions: limited criminal immunity for active participants identified by a wallet certificate card; potential civil immunity for program staff, volunteers, and affiliated entities; immunity covers actions related to program participation and provision of materials, with protections extending to law enforcement under specified conditions.
Annual reporting to the Department by local health authorities on program metrics, including number served, injection supplies dispensed/returned, naloxone distribution, and referrals for treatment and other services.
No creation of a standard of care or modification of existing medical liability laws; the act preserves existing medical liability rules.
Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Diseases