Bill > SB441

This bill requires any municipality that plans to transport a homeless individual or someone showing signs of substance use disorder to another municipality for shelter, treatment, or other services to first establish a formal agreement called a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the receiving municipality. This MOU must outline the services to be provided, any financial contributions from the sending municipality, and other agreed-upon conditions, such as limits on the number of individuals transferred. The bill also mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services create rules to govern the application and enforcement of these MOUs, specifically addressing financial responsibility for substance use disorder treatment services when individuals are transferred between municipalities. Exceptions to the MOU requirement include emergency medical transfers, transfers by law enforcement under court order, or voluntary relocation by an individual without municipal assistance. Additionally, municipalities will have the authority to set guidelines for organizations operating under the opioid abatement trust fund or syringe service programs, including what harm reduction materials can be distributed and requiring them to offer pathways to recovery, and can even prohibit such organizations from operating within their jurisdiction. A municipality found to be violating these provisions will face a $5,000 fine payable to the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse the receiving municipality.