MD. Health - General Code Ann. §  24-903 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Health - General|Title 24 - Miscellaneous Provisions|Subtitle 9 - Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs|Section 24-903 - Operation and Services; Development of Procedures, Outreach Plans, and Protocols

    (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.    (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.    (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.    (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.