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Committee advances bill to define street medicine, allow data sharing and on‑street long‑acting injectables
Summary
HB339 (first substitute) was advanced with a favorable recommendation. The bill defines "street medicine," allows HIPAA-compliant data sharing between qualified street medicine providers and homeless-service systems, and would permit delivery of long‑acting injectable psychiatric medications in outreach settings under clinical oversight.
Representative Clancy presented the first substitute to HB339 to define street medicine, ensure HIPAA-compliant data sharing (from homeless-management information systems to clinically covered providers), and permit licensed providers to administer long‑acting injectables in community settings to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Janice Olson and Denise Olson of Fourth Street Clinic provided operational context: in 2024 the clinic served more than 6,600 individuals and the street medicine team conducted nearly 8,000 outreach contacts across more than 100 encampments, providing licensed medical and behavioral-health services on-site. Medical director Van Aston emphasized clinical safeguards and the benefit of long-acting antipsychotic injectables for patients who struggle with daily dosing.
Committee members asked about pharmacy access and cost of injectables; presenters noted some access via the 340B pharmacy program and manufacturer partnerships. After public support and questions about expanding service days, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to advance HB339 with a favorable recommendation.
