Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB0002

Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to (i) establish a new intervention license category entitled "OPS Harm Reduction Services", (ii) establish standards for entities to become licensed under the OPS Harm Reduction Services category, and (iii) create a licensing application process. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law, ordinance, or regulation, any entity licensed as an OPS Harm Reduction Services provider may operate an overdose prevention site as authorized by the Department. Requires the Department to make a determination as to whether to approve an entity's application for an OPS Harm Reduction Services license within 4 weeks after the date upon which the entity submitted its application to the Department. Requires the Department to help educate local communities and public and private entities about overdose prevention sites and the evidence regarding the benefits of overdose prevention sites. Requires entities approved to operate an overdose prevention site to, at a minimum, provide a hygienic space where participants may consume pre-obtained substances, maintain a supply of naloxone and oxygen on-site, employ staff trained to administer first aid to participants who are experiencing an overdose, provide secure hypodermic needle and syringe disposal services, encourage drug checking or the use of fentanyl test strips, and other services. Requires licensed entities to submit a report to the Department on the number of participants who have received or are receiving services at the overdose prevention site and other matters. Grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to specified persons. Preempts home rule powers.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop a pilot program aimed at saving the lives of people who use substances. Provides that the program shall include the establishment of at least one overdose prevention site. Provides that the pilot overdose prevention sites shall be exempt from the Act's intervention licensure requirements for harm reduction services until the Department has adopted rules for harm reduction services. Provides that overdose prevention sites shall offer people who are most likely to use drugs in public, unobserved, high-risk, and unsanitary locations a safe space to use pre-obtained substances and to connect with community supports or other existing treatment and recovery programs, harm reduction services, and health care. Sets forth principles that pilot overdose prevention sites shall abide by. Contains provisions concerning: staffing requirements at overdose prevention sites; designated locations for overdose prevention sites; program and service requirements for overdose prevention sites; civil immunity for overdose prevention sites and staff; and other matters. In provisions concerning licensure categories and services, creates a new harm reduction services category under the Act.

Requires each pilot overdose prevention site to track and compile information on the success rate of persons who are referred to and receive additional treatment and recovery support services after utilizing the services provided at the overdose prevention site. Provides that each pilot overdose prevention site must monitor and collect the following data: (i) the number of persons who seek and receive services at the overdose prevention site; (ii) the number of persons identified in item (i) who are referred to other substance use and treatment and recovery support services offered by another provider; and (iii) the number of persons identified in item (ii) who receive and complete substance use treatment or a program of recovery support services offered by another provider. Requires each pilot overdose prevention site to compile the required data and information and submit an annual report on its findings to the Department of Human Services in a form and manner and on a date prescribed by the Department. Provides that all personally identifiable information shall be excluded from the reports consistent with State and federal privacy protections. Makes technical changes.

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