2025 -- H 5171 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED
========
LC000790/SUB A
========
S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HARM REDUCTION CENTER ADVISORY
COMMITTEE AND PILOT PROGRAM
Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Craven, Potter, Caldwell, Kislak, Bennett,
Ajello, Batista, McEntee, and Kazarian
Date Introduced: January 24, 2025
Referred To: House Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. The title of Chapter 23-12.10 of the General Laws entitled "Harm Reduction 1
Center Advisory Committee and Pilot Program." is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
CHAPTER 23-12.10 3
Harm Reduction Center Advisory Committee and Pilot Program. [Expires March 1, 2026.] 4
CHAPTER 23-12.10 5
HARM REDUCTION CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PROGRAM 6
SECTION 2. Sections 23-12.10-1 and 23-12.10-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-12.10 7
entitled "Harm Reduction Center Advisory Committee and Pilot Program." are hereby amended to 8
read as follows: 9
23-12.10-1. Purpose and creation — Municipal authorization required. 10
(a) The purpose of this chapter is to authorize a four-year (4) pilot program to prevent drug 11
overdoses through the establishment of “harm reduction centers,” which, as used in this chapter, 12
shall be defined as a community-based resource for health screening, disease prevention, and 13
recovery assistance where persons may safely consume pre-obtained substances. Smoking of pre-14
obtained substances shall also be permitted within the harm reduction center. 15
(b) Each harm reduction center shall provide the necessary healthcare professionals to 16
prevent overdose, and shall provide referrals for counseling or other medical treatment that may be 17
appropriate for persons utilizing the harm reduction center. 18
LC000790/SUB A - Page 2 of 3
(c) The director of the department of health shall promulgate regulations to authorize the 1
program established by this chapter, and in accordance with § 23-12.10-5. Nothing contained in 2
this section authorizes a harm reduction center without approval of the municipality in which the 3
center is proposed. 4
(d)(1) Any harm reduction center proposed to be operated pursuant to the provisions of this 5
chapter shall require municipal authorization and approval prior to opening or operating in any 6
community within this state. 7
(2) As used in this chapter, the term “municipal authorization and approval” means an 8
express affirmative vote by the city or town council, or the equivalent governing body, of any 9
municipality where a harm reduction center is proposed to be located, which affirmative vote 10
approves: 11
(i) The opening and operation of the proposed harm reduction center; 12
(ii) The exact location of the proposed harm reduction center, which shall include street 13
address and plat and lot number or other applicable number as used by the municipality’s tax 14
assessor; and 15
(iii) An express authorization as to the hours of operation of the proposed harm reduction 16
center. 17
(e) Each harm reduction center approved for operation pursuant to the provisions of this 18
chapter shall cease operations on or before March 1, 2026 2028, unless an act of the general 19
assembly expressly authorizes the continuation of the operation of the harm reduction center. 20
23-12.10-6. Sunset. 21
On or before January 31, 2026 2028, the director of the department of health and the 22
attorney general shall submit to the governor, the speaker of the house, and the president of the 23
senate, a report which includes, at a minimum, the number of individuals served by each harm 24
reduction center; the number of individuals who were connected to health services by each harm 25
reduction center; and any data relating to the occurrence of and/or prevention of overdoses or deaths 26
associated with each harm reduction center, as well as recommendations as to continuation of the 27
provisions of this chapter. Unless , and unless extended by the general assembly, the provisions of 28
this chapter shall sunset and expire on March 1, 2026 2028. 29
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. 30
========
LC000790/SUB A
========
LC000790/SUB A - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HARM REDUCTION CENTER ADVISORY
COMMITTEE AND PILOT PROGRAM
***
This act extends the sunset provision of the four (4) year pilot program to prevent drug 1
overdoses through the establishment of harm reduction centers for two (2) years to March 1, 2028. 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
========
LC000790/SUB A
========