Indiana Approves Needle Exchange Program

Both the House and Senate have approved a framework that allows needle-exchange programs in cities and counties across Indiana as long as they meet certain criteria.

 

That criteria is more restrictive than the original bill language, which would have allowed needle exchanges in all 92 counties.

Now, the state health commissioner must declare a public health emergency based on high rates of hepatitis C or HIV before a municipality can implement an exchange.

“The bill doesn’t go far enough for some, for others it goes too far. I hope we’ve found the right balance of compromise here,” Rep. Ed Clere said before the final vote. “I think we do.”

The bill was formed in response to the HIV outbreak in Southeastern Indiana that has infected around 140 people.