26:5C-27 Operation of sterile syringe access program.

3. The Commissioner of Health shall establish a program to permit a municipality to operate a sterile syringe access program in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et seq.), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36. The commissioner shall prescribe by regulation requirements for a municipality to establish, or otherwise authorize the operation within that municipality of, a sterile syringe access program to provide for the exchange of hypodermic syringes and needles in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et seq.), and consistent with the rules adopted at N.J.A.C.8:63-1.1 et seq., effective April 9, 2007.

a. The commissioner shall:

(1) request an application, to be submitted on a form and in a manner to be prescribed by the commissioner, from any municipality that seeks to establish a sterile syringe access program, or from other entities authorized to operate a sterile syringe access program within that municipality as provided in paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36;

(2) approve those applications that meet the requirements established by regulation of the commissioner and contract with the municipalities or entities whose applications are approved to establish a sterile syringe access program as provided in paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36, to operate a sterile syringe access program in any municipality in which the governing body has authorized the operation of sterile syringe access programs within that municipality by ordinance;

(3) support and facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable, the linkage of sterile syringe access programs to: (a) health care facilities and programs that may provide appropriate health care services, including mental health services, medication-assisted drug treatment services, and other substance abuse treatment services to consumers participating in a sterile syringe access program; and (b) housing assistance programs, career and employment-related counseling programs, and education counseling programs that may provide appropriate ancillary support services to consumers participating in a sterile syringe access program;

(4) provide for the adoption of a uniform identification card or other uniform Statewide means of identification for consumers, staff, and volunteers of a sterile syringe access program pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36; and

(5) maintain a record of the data reported to the commissioner by sterile syringe access programs pursuant to paragraph (11) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36.

b. The commissioner shall be authorized to accept funding as may be made available from the private sector to effectuate the purposes of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et seq.), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36.

L.2006, c.99, s.3; amended 2012, c.17, s.345; 2015, c.10, s.4; 2016, c.36, s.2.