26:5C-29 Reports to Governor, Legislature.

5. a. (1) The Commissioner of Health shall report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, 164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature, no later than one year after the effective date of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et seq.) and biennially thereafter, on the status of sterile syringe access programs established pursuant to sections 3 and 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-27 and C.26:5C-28), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36, and shall include in that report the data provided to the commissioner by each sterile syringe access program pursuant to paragraph (11) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28), as amended by P.L.2016, c.36.

(2) For the purpose of each biennial report pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the commissioner shall:

(a) consult with local law enforcement authorities regarding the impact of the sterile syringe access programs on the rate and volume of crime in the affected municipalities and include that information in the report; and

(b) seek to obtain data from public safety and emergency medical services providers Statewide regarding the incidence and location of needle stick injuries to their personnel and include that information in the report.

b. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2016, c.36)

c. The commissioner shall prepare a detailed analysis of the sterile syringe access programs, and report on the results of that analysis to the Governor, the Governor's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and Related Blood-Borne Pathogens, and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature annually. The analysis shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) any increase or decrease in the spread of HIV, hepatitis C and other bloodborne pathogens that may be transmitted by the use of contaminated syringes and needles;

(2) the number of exchanged syringes and needles and an evaluation of the disposal of syringes and needles that are not returned by consumers;

(3) the number of consumers participating in the sterile syringe access programs and an assessment of their reasons for participating in the programs;

(4) the number of consumers in the sterile syringe access programs who participated in substance use disorder treatment programs; and

(5) the number of consumers in the sterile syringe access programs who benefited from counseling and referrals to programs and entities that are relevant to their health, housing, social service, employment and other needs.

d. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2016, c.36)

L.2006, c.99, s.5; amended 2015, c.10, s.6; 2016, c.36, s.3; 2017, c.131, s.105.