2018 Maryland Code
Health - General
Title 24 - Miscellaneous Provisions
Subtitle 9 - Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs
§ 24-903. Operation and services; development of procedures, outreach plans, and protocols.
(a) In general. -- A Program shall:
(1) Be designed and maintained to provide security of Program locations and equipment, in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department;
(2) Be operated to allow participants to obtain and return hypodermic needles and syringes at any Program location, if more than one location is available;
(3) Include appropriate levels of staff expertise in working with individuals who inject drugs;
(4) Include adequate staff training in providing community referrals, counseling, and preventive education;
(5) Provide for the dissemination of other preventive means for curtailing the spread of HIV and viral hepatitis;
(6) Provide linkage to additional services, including:
(i) Substance-related disorder counseling, treatment, and recovery services;
(ii) Testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases;
(iii) Reproductive health education and services;
(iv) Wound care; and
(v) The services of an overdose response program under Title 13, Subtitle 31 of this article;
(7) Educate participants on the dangers of contracting HIV and viral hepatitis;
(8) Provide overdose prevention education and access to naloxone, or a referral for a participant to obtain naloxone;
(9) Establish procedures for identifying Program participants that are consistent with the confidentiality provisions of this subtitle;
(10) Establish a method of identification and authorization for Program staff members and Program volunteers who have access to hypodermic needles, syringes, or Program records; and
(11) Develop a plan for data collection and Program evaluation in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department.
(b) Additional services. -- A Program may offer additional services, including:
(1) Substance-related disorder counseling, treatment, and recovery services;
(2) Testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases;
(3) Reproductive health education and services;
(4) Wound care; and
(5) The services of an overdose response program under Title 13, Subtitle 31 of this article.
(c) Development of procedures, outreach plans, and protocols. -- With the technical assistance of the Standing Advisory Committee, a Program shall develop:
(1) Program operating procedures for the distribution, collection, and safe disposal of hypodermic needles and syringes;
(2) A community outreach and education plan; and
(3) A protocol for linking Program participants to substance-related disorder treatment and recovery services.
(d) Submission of procedures, outreach plans, and protocols. -- After receiving technical assistance from the Standing Advisory Committee, a Program shall submit the operating procedures, plan for community outreach and education, and protocol for linking Program participants to substance-related disorder treatment and recovery services developed under subsection (c) of this section for approval to:
(1) The local health officer for each county in which a Program is established; and
(2) The Department.
