(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.
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