HB37 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Injection-Associated infectious disease elimination, pilot programs by Dept. of Public Health and local health authorities authorized, limited criminal immunity granted

Summary

HB 37 would create pilot programs to reduce injection-related infectious diseases in Alabama and shield participants and program workers from certain criminal and civil penalties to encourage participation.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Department of Public Health and local health authorities to establish injection-associated infectious disease elimination pilot programs in counties with demonstrated need, for up to three years (extendable if need continues). The programs must include safe needle disposal, free injection supplies (not purchased with state funds), educational materials, naloxone access, treatment referrals, and anonymous recordkeeping, plus emergency care and confidentiality safeguards. Participants who inject drugs and actively participate would receive limited criminal immunity if they carry a wallet certificate card; program staff and affiliated entities would have broad civil and criminal immunity for activities related to the program. The act also requires reporting of program data to the Department and coordination with law enforcement.

Who It Affects

• People who inject drugs in counties with the pilot programs, who would gain access to supplies, education, naloxone, treatment referrals, and limited criminal immunity while actively participating.
• Public health officials, local health authorities, healthcare providers, law enforcement, first responders, and other program staff/volunteers who operate or participate in the pilots and would receive immunity from certain liability and have responsibilities to implement and report on the program.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Injection-Associated Infectious Disease Elimination Act and authorizes pilot programs in counties with demonstrated need; pilot duration up to three years, extendable if ongoing need is shown.
• Programs must dispose of used needles safely, provide injection supplies at no cost (state funds cannot purchase supplies), offer educational materials on overdose prevention, disease prevention, and treatment referrals, provide naloxone access or referrals, offer personal treatment consultations, ensure anonymous recordkeeping, notify local law enforcement, and issue wallet certificate cards for immunity verification.
• Immunity: active participants receive limited criminal immunity for certain offenses when using program resources; program staff, volunteers, and affiliated entities receive civil and criminal immunity for activities related to the program; immunity extends to related emergency care and referrals, with protections for liability.
• Requires annual reporting to the Department of Public Health on numbers served, supplies dispensed and returned, naloxone distributed, and treatment/referral outcomes.
• Before starting a program, consult with law enforcement, prosecutors, treatment facilities, people who inject drugs and in recovery, nonprofits, and residents in the area.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on 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