HB444 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Proncey Robertson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Health, Alabama Injection-Associated Infectious Disease Elimination Act, authorizing the establishment of local and state programs to combat spread of such diseases

Summary

HB 444 would create the Alabama Injection-Associated Infectious Disease Elimination Act to pilot programs in certain counties that aim to reduce HIV/HCV spread from injection drug use by providing supplies, education, treatment referrals, and immunity for participants and program staff.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes the Department of Public Health or local health authorities to establish 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, HCV, and other injection-related infections, and also reduce needle-stick injuries while encouraging treatment. They must provide safe disposal of needles, free injection supplies (not funded by state money for purchases), educational materials, naloxone access or referrals, personal health consultations, and maintain anonymous records, plus issue an official certificate card and grant limited immunity to participants and program staff.

Who It Affects

• People who inject drugs and program participants: can enroll in pilot programs to receive needles and other supplies, education, naloxone access or referrals, and health referrals, while having limited criminal immunity for actions related to program participation and possessing/disposing of needles.
• Public health officials, local health authorities, and program staff (including law enforcement coordination and governing bodies): authorized to establish and operate the programs, require approvals, consult with stakeholders, maintain records and data, and receive certain immunities for actions taken under the program.

Key Provisions

• authorize the Department of Public Health or local health authorities to establish injection-associated infectious disease elimination pilot programs in counties with demonstrated need, lasting up to three years (extendable).
• set objectives to reduce HIV, HCV, and other injection-associated diseases; reduce needle-stick injuries to first responders and the public; and encourage enrollment in evidence-based substance use disorder treatment.
• require programs to safely dispose of used needles, provide needles/syringes at no cost (state funds cannot be used to purchase needles), and distribute educational materials on overdose prevention, disease prevention, drug abuse prevention, mental health and substance abuse treatment.
• provide access to naloxone kits or referrals to programs with naloxone for opioid overdoses; offer personal consultations about mental health or treatment; encourage broader access to medical and social services; and maintain anonymous recordkeeping.
• require notifying local law enforcement about the program and the limited immunity granted; issue official certificate cards to participants that document immunity eligibility and serve as proof of immunity.
• grant immunity from criminal prosecution or certain liability to active program participants for possession/use of needles obtained from the program and for used needles with residual substances, contingent on presenting an active certificate card; extend civil immunity to officers and program staff/volunteers; provide protections to health authorities and implementing entities under existing laws.
• mandate reporting to the Department of Public Health at least annually with data on participants served, needles dispensed/returned, naloxone distribution or referrals, and health/behavioral treatment referrals.
• require pre-implementation consultation with law enforcement, prosecutors, treatment facilities, people who inject drugs, recovery advocates, nonprofits, and residents; and require public approvals from city councils or county commissions (with exceptions during declared public health emergencies).
• specify that the program is not a standard of care and does not modify existing medical liability laws; effective immediately upon legislative 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

Public Health Department