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Senate advances needle-exchange bill citing disease-prevention benefits amid questions about encouraging drug use
Summary
House Bill 308 would authorize needle-exchange programs and link participants to education and rehabilitation through public-health agencies. Sponsors said exchanges reduce infections and provide data; some senators worried the policy could enable continued drug use. The bill was advanced for third reading with a roll call recorded.
Senator Shiozawa presented House Bill 308 as "a disease prevention bill," saying it would authorize syringe-exchange programs that provide sterile needles, required education and links to rehabilitation services through public-health agencies.
Supporters pointed to evidence that…
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