§325-113 Operation of the program. (a) The program shall be operated for the purpose of:

(1) Preventing the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and other bloodborne infections; and

(2) Providing drug users with referrals to appropriate health and social services.

(b) The program shall provide for maximum security of exchange sites and equipment, including a full accounting of the number of needles and syringes distributed, the number of needles and syringes in storage, the number of used needles and syringes collected, and any other measure that may be required to control the use and dispersal of sterile needles and syringes; provided that a syringe exchange participant may exchange used needles and syringes at any exchange site if more than one site is available.

(d) The program may provide screening procedures to allow non-injection drug users to safely and effectively receive services, exclusive of syringes and needles, from the program.

(e) The department and its designees shall keep records to identify and authorize program staff to have access to needles, syringes, or authorized objects, and the program's records.

(f) The program shall include services to:

(1) Educate the syringe exchange participant about the dangers of contracting bloodborne infections through needle- and other materials-sharing practices; and

(2) Offer substance use disorder treatment referral and counseling services to all syringe exchange participants and non-injection drug users.

(g) The program shall compile research data on behavioral changes; enrollment in substance use disorder treatment, counseling, and education programs; service provision; disease transmission; and other information that may be relevant and useful to assist in the planning and evaluation of efforts to combat the spread of bloodborne infections. [L 1992, c 152, pt of §2; am L 2025, c 106, §3]