2016 New Jersey Revised Statutes
Title 26 - Health And Vital Statistics
Section 26:5C-27 - Demonstration Program For Operation Of Sterile Syringe Access Programs.

26:5C-27 Demonstration program for operation of sterile syringe access programs.

3.The Commissioner of Health shall establish a demonstration program to permit up to six municipalities to operate a sterile syringe access program in accordance with the provisions of this act. For the purposes of the demonstration program, 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.).

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);

(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) 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); 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).

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.).

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