WEST virginia legislature
2020 regular session
Introduced
Senate Bill 286
By Senator Tarr
[Introduced January 10,
2020; referred
to the Committee on Health and Human Resources; and then to the Committee on
the Judiciary]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §16-59-1 and §16-59-2, all relating to prohibiting the development of syringe exchange programs; providing for the closure of existing programs; and providing for civil penalties.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE. Prohibition of Syringe Exchange Programs.
§16-59-1. Syringe Exchange Programs prohibited.
The Bureau for Public Health may not permit any provider to offer a syringe exchange program in the State of West Virginia in any location. To the extent that existing providers are currently providing hypodermic needles and/or offering a syringe exchange program, the provider shall close this service immediately upon passage of this article or be in violation of this provision.
§16-59-2. Civil penalties.
The Bureau for Public Health may assess a civil penalty of not less than $500 nor more than $25,000 for a violation of this article. The Bureau for Public Health may seek injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of this article.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the opening of syringe exchange programs and to close existing programs and to provide civil penalties for violations.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.