2020 Utah Code
Title 26 - Utah Health Code
Chapter 7 - Health Promotion and Risk Reduction
Section 8 - Syringe exchange and education.

Affected by 63I-2-226 on 1/1/2027

• (1) The following may operate a syringe exchange program in the state to prevent the transmission of disease and reduce morbidity and mortality among individuals who inject drugs, and those individuals' contacts:
  • (a) a government entity, including:
    • (i) the department;
    • (ii) a local health department, as defined in Section 26A-1-102;
    • (iii) the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health within the Department of Human Services; or
    • (iv) a local substance abuse authority, as defined in Section 62A-15-102;
  • (b) a nongovernment entity, including:
    • (i) a nonprofit organization; or
    • (ii) a for-profit organization; or
  • (c) any other entity that complies with Subsections (2) and (4).

• (2) An entity operating a syringe exchange program in the state shall:
  • (a) facilitate the exchange of an individual's used syringe for one or more new syringes in sealed sterile packages;
  • (b) ensure that a recipient of a new syringe is given verbal and written instruction on:
    • (i) methods for preventing the transmission of blood-borne diseases, including hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus; and
    • (ii) options for obtaining:
      • (A) services for the treatment of a substance use disorder;
      • (B) testing for a blood-borne disease; and
      • (C) an opiate antagonist under Chapter 55, Opiate Overdose Response Act; and
  • (c) report annually to the department the following information about the program's activities:
    • (i) the number of individuals who have exchanged syringes;
    • (ii) the number of used syringes exchanged for new syringes; and
    • (iii) the number of new syringes provided in exchange for used syringes.

• (3) No later than October 1, 2017, and every two years thereafter, the department shall report to the Legislature's Health and Human Services Interim Committee on:
  • (a) the activities and outcomes of syringe programs operating in the state, including:
    • (i) the number of individuals who have exchanged syringes;
    • (ii) the number of used syringes exchanged for new syringes;
    • (iii) the number of new syringes provided in exchange for used syringes;
    • (iv) the impact of the programs on blood-borne infection rates; and
    • (v) the impact of the programs on the number of individuals receiving treatment for a substance use disorder;
  • (b) the potential for additional reductions in the number of syringes contaminated with blood-borne disease if the programs receive additional funding;
  • (c) the potential for additional reductions in state and local government spending if the programs receive additional funding;
  • (d) whether the programs promote illicit use of drugs; and
  • (e) whether the programs should be continued, continued with modifications, or terminated.

• (4) The department shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, specifying how and when an entity operating a syringe exchange program shall make the report required by Subsection (2)(c).