2025 -- S 0462
========
LC001372
========
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 ADV ISORY
COMMITTEE AND PILOT PROGRAM
Introduced By: Senators Murray, Lauria, Lawson, McKenney, Bissaillon, Kallman,
DiMario, Felag, Mack, and Urso
Date Introduced: February 26, 2025
Referred To: Senate 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. Section 23-12.10-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-12.10 entitled "Harm 7
Reduction Center Advisory Committee and Pilot Program." is hereby amended to read as follows: 8
23-12.10-1. Purpose and creation — Municipal authorization required. 9
(a) The purpose of this chapter is to authorize a four-year (4) pilot permanent program to 10
prevent drug overdoses through the establishment of “harm reduction centers,” which, as used in 11
this chapter, shall be defined as a community-based resource for health screening, disease 12
prevention, and recovery assistance where persons may safely consume pre-obtained substances. 13
Smoking of pre-obtained substances shall also be permitted within the harm reduction center. 14
(b) Each harm reduction center shall provide the necessary healthcare professionals to 15
prevent overdose, and shall provide referrals for counseling or other medical treatment that may be 16
appropriate for persons utilizing the harm reduction center. 17
(c) The director of the department of health shall promulgate regulations to authorize the 18
LC001372 - Page 2 of 3
program established by this chapter, and in accordance with § 23-12.10-5. Nothing contained in 1
this section authorizes a harm reduction center without approval of the municipality in which the 2
center is proposed. 3
(d)(1) Any harm reduction center proposed to be operated pursuant to the provisions of this 4
chapter shall require municipal authorization and approval prior to opening or operating in any 5
community within this state. 6
(2) As used in this chapter, the term “municipal authorization and approval” means an 7
express affirmative vote by the city or town council, or the equivalent governing body, of any 8
municipality where a harm reduction center is proposed to be located, which affirmative vote 9
approves: 10
(i) The opening and operation of the proposed harm reduction center; 11
(ii) The exact location of the proposed harm reduction center, which shall include street 12
address and plat and lot number or other applicable number as used by the municipality’s tax 13
assessor; and 14
(iii) An express authorization as to the hours of operation of the proposed harm reduction 15
center. 16
(e) Each harm reduction center approved for operation pursuant to the provisions of this 17
chapter shall cease operations on or before March 1, 2026, unless an act of the general assembly 18
expressly authorizes the continuation of the operation of the harm reduction center. 19
SECTION 3. Section 23-12.10-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-12.10 entitled "Harm 20
Reduction Center Advisory Committee and Pilot Program." is hereby repealed. 21
23-12.10-6. Sunset. 22
On or before January 31, 2026, the director of the department of health and the attorney 23
general shall submit to the governor, the speaker of the house, and the president of the senate, 24
recommendations as to continuation of the provisions of this chapter, and unless extended by the 25
general assembly, the provisions of this chapter shall sunset and expire on March 1, 2026. 26
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage. 27
========
LC001372
========
LC001372 - 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 removes the sunset provision of the four (4) year pilot program to prevent drug 1
overdoses through the establishment of harm reduction centers and creates a permanent program 2
for harm reduction centers. 3
This act would take effect upon passage. 4
========
LC001372
========