Bill > HB1114

This bill modifies Hawaii's Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program to improve its effectiveness in reducing the transmission of bloodborne infections among people who use drugs. The bill replaces the previous one-to-one syringe exchange limit with a needs-based distribution model, allowing participants to receive enough sterile syringes to reduce the likelihood of needle sharing and reuse. It expands the program to potentially serve non-injection drug users and adds protections for program staff and participants from criminal liability related to possession of drug paraphernalia and small amounts of drug residue. The bill introduces new definitions for terms like "authorized objects" and "needs-based distribution" and requires the program to track additional metrics such as the number of used syringes collected. The legislation also broadens the program's scope to include more comprehensive harm reduction services, such as education about bloodborne pathogen transmission, substance use disorder treatment referrals, and counseling. Importantly, the bill aligns Hawaii's syringe exchange program with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, aiming to improve public health outcomes and reduce the spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1114&year=2026