HB384 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Neil RaffertyRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Public health, Alabama Injection-Associated Infectious Disease Elimination Act. established

Summary

HB384 would create a pilot program in Alabama's most populous county to reduce injection-related infectious diseases and provide immunity and support for participants and program staff.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes a local health authority in the state's largest county to establish injection-associated infectious disease elimination pilot programs for up to five years. It sets guidelines for services such as safe needle disposal, free distribution of needles, education, naloxone access, and referrals for treatment and other services, while keeping participants' identities anonymous. It also creates criminal and civil immunity for program participants, staff, and certain officials, and requires annual reporting and board rulemaking to govern program operations.

Who It Affects

• People who inject drugs in the county: may participate and receive supplies, education, testing, and treatment referrals, and may obtain immunity when using program services.
• Local health authority and its employees/volunteers: authorized to operate the pilot program and granted immunity for actions taken under it.
• Law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public officials: must be informed about the program's immunities; some protections apply to enforcement actions involving participants with valid program cards.
• Health care providers and organizations that participate in or support the program: immune from criminal liability for activities conducted under the program when in compliance with the act and rules.
• The general public in the county: benefits from reduced spread of HIV/HCV and other infections and from fewer needle-stick injuries.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Injection-Associated Infectious Disease Elimination Act and authorizes a local health authority in the most populous county to establish injection-associated infectious disease elimination pilot programs for up to five years.
• Defines goals: reduce spread of HIV, HCV, and other injection-related diseases; reduce needle-stick injuries to responders and the public; encourage enrollment in evidence-based substance use treatment.
• Program requirements include safe disposal of used needles, free distribution of injection supplies (funding cannot be used to purchase supplies), educational materials (overdose prevention, disease prevention, mental health and substance abuse treatment referrals), access to naloxone, personal consultations, disease screening/treatment, anonymous recordkeeping, and emergency care.
• Participants receive an official certificate card that identifies them and evidences limited immunity from criminal liability; programs must notify law enforcement about the immunities and provide a mechanism for identifying participants.
• Immunity provisions protect participants, program staff, and certain officials from criminal liability for activities related to the program; law enforcement personnel may also be shielded if immunity applies and proper card is presented.
• Annual reporting requirements: the local health authority must report to the Senate Healthcare Committee and the House Health Committee on participants served, supplies dispensed and returned, naloxone distribution/referrals, treatment referrals, and other services provided.
• State Board of Health must adopt rules governing program operation, including counseling, referrals, and needle dispensing; physicians are protected from liability when in compliance with the act and board rules.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health