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§ 24-903. Program methods and practices

West's Annotated Code of MarylandHealth--GeneralEffective: October 1, 2016

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Health--General
Title 24. Miscellaneous Provisions
Subtitle 9. Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2016
MD Code, Health - General, § 24-903
§ 24-903. Program methods and practices
Currentness
In general
(a) A Program shall:
(1) Be designed and maintained to provide security of Program locations and equipment, in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department;
(2) Be operated to allow participants to obtain and return hypodermic needles and syringes at any Program location, if more than one location is available;
(3) Include appropriate levels of staff expertise in working with individuals who inject drugs;
(4) Include adequate staff training in providing community referrals, counseling, and preventive education;
(5) Provide for the dissemination of other preventive means for curtailing the spread of HIV and viral hepatitis;
(6) Provide linkage to additional services, including:
(i) Substance-related disorder counseling, treatment, and recovery services;
(ii) Testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases;
(iii) Reproductive health education and services;
(iv) Wound care; and
(v) The services of an overdose response program under Title 13, Subtitle 31 of this article;
(7) Educate participants on the dangers of contracting HIV and viral hepatitis;
(8) Provide overdose prevention education and access to naloxone, or a referral for a participant to obtain naloxone;
(9) Establish procedures for identifying Program participants that are consistent with the confidentiality provisions of this subtitle;
(10) Establish a method of identification and authorization for Program staff members and Program volunteers who have access to hypodermic needles, syringes, or Program records; and
(11) Develop a plan for data collection and Program evaluation in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department.
Optional additional services
(b) A Program may offer additional services, including:
(1) Substance-related disorder counseling, treatment, and recovery services;
(2) Testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases;
(3) Reproductive health education and services;
(4) Wound care; and
(5) The services of an overdose response program under Title 13, Subtitle 31 of this article.
Procedures; outreach and education plan; linking to services
(c) With the technical assistance of the Standing Advisory Committee, a Program shall develop:
(1) Program operating procedures for the distribution, collection, and safe disposal of hypodermic needles and syringes;
(2) A community outreach and education plan; and
(3) A protocol for linking Program participants to substance-related disorder treatment and recovery services.
Approval requirements
(d) After receiving technical assistance from the Standing Advisory Committee, a Program shall submit the operating procedures, plan for community outreach and education, and protocol for linking Program participants to substance-related disorder treatment and recovery services developed under subsection (c) of this section for approval to:
(1) The local health officer for each county in which a Program is established; and
(2) The Department.

Credits

Added by Acts 2016, c. 348, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2016.
MD Code, Health - General, § 24-903, MD HEALTH GEN § 24-903
Current through legislation effective through April 25, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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