Bill > SB0629

This bill establishes a legal framework for needle and hypodermic syringe access programs in Michigan, allowing local government agencies and the state department to authorize programs that distribute sterile needles and provide services to reduce the spread of communicable diseases. The bill creates protections for individuals participating in these programs, ensuring they will not be prosecuted for possessing trace amounts of controlled substances or drug paraphernalia when participating in an authorized syringe service program. Participants can prove their involvement through testimony, program cards, or sign-in sheets, and the program aims to provide a harm reduction approach to addressing substance use. The bill amends several existing sections of the Public Health Code to accommodate these new provisions, including modifications to drug possession and paraphernalia laws that explicitly exempt participants in authorized needle exchange programs from criminal prosecution. Additionally, the bill allows health professionals to sell drug paraphernalia in their professional capacity and provides definitions for key terms like "controlled substance" and "drug paraphernalia". The overall intent is to create a legal mechanism that supports public health strategies for reducing disease transmission among individuals who use injectable drugs.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0629