State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Office)
LINCOLN — Lawmakers voted Thursday to approve legislation for the distribution of hypodermic needles to reduce the spread of infectious diseases in Nebraska. Plastic Syringe
Legislative Bill 307 , introduced by State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, passed a final round of debate 30-7 without discussion. The bill would allow local jurisdictions to authorize community-based syringe services programs, known as SSPs or needle exchange programs, which facilitate the safe use and disposal of syringes.
No locality would be required to implement an SSP.
An SSP could not be within 500 feet of a public community recreation center, library or swimming pool or public or private child care facilities; elementary, secondary or vocational schools; or youth centers.
The bill provides additional exceptions to drug paraphernalia-related criminal penalties to SSP staff or participants, when engaged in the program and under its provisions.
HIV.gov states that participants in SSPs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment and three times more likely to stop injecting drugs.
“With LB307, not only can we reduce potential harm experienced by those struggling with addiction, we can also honor and protect our first responders and law enforcement that are out in our communities doing their best to protect the public,” Hunt said at the bill’s Feb. 9, 2023, hearing .
Hunt told the Nebraska Examiner on Thursday that if Gov. Jim Pillen vetoes LB 307 she thinks lawmakers would override it.
“There’s a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions around drug use and addiction, and I think the governor holds some of these views — but I’m confident that my colleagues understand the public health impacts of this bill,” Hunt said. “At the end of the day, we’re going to pass this bill and it will be law, and it’s going to help a lot of people and save lives in Nebraska.”
Under Legislative Bill 307, Nebraska SSPs would, at a minimum, offer or arrange for the following:
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by Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner February 29, 2024
by Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner February 29, 2024
LINCOLN — Lawmakers voted Thursday to approve legislation for the distribution of hypodermic needles to reduce the spread of infectious diseases in Nebraska.
Legislative Bill 307, introduced by State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, passed a final round of debate 30-7 without discussion. The bill would allow local jurisdictions to authorize community-based syringe services programs, known as SSPs or needle exchange programs, which facilitate the safe use and disposal of syringes.
No locality would be required to implement an SSP.
An SSP could not be within 500 feet of a public community recreation center, library or swimming pool or public or private child care facilities; elementary, secondary or vocational schools; or youth centers.
The bill provides additional exceptions to drug paraphernalia-related criminal penalties to SSP staff or participants, when engaged in the program and under its provisions.
HIV.gov states that participants in SSPs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment and three times more likely to stop injecting drugs.
“With LB307, not only can we reduce potential harm experienced by those struggling with addiction, we can also honor and protect our first responders and law enforcement that are out in our communities doing their best to protect the public,” Hunt said at the bill’s Feb. 9, 2023, hearing.
Hunt told the Nebraska Examiner on Thursday that if Gov. Jim Pillen vetoes LB 307 she thinks lawmakers would override it.
“There’s a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions around drug use and addiction, and I think the governor holds some of these views — but I’m confident that my colleagues understand the public health impacts of this bill,” Hunt said. “At the end of the day, we’re going to pass this bill and it will be law, and it’s going to help a lot of people and save lives in Nebraska.”
Under Legislative Bill 307, Nebraska SSPs would, at a minimum, offer or arrange for the following:
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