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Heated hearing in Concord as lawmakers consider banning state funding for organizations that distribute syringes
Summary
Sen. Keith Murphy’s SB 549 would bar state and local governments from funding organizations that distribute drug paraphernalia, including syringes. DHHS warned of legal conflicts and potential public-health and fiscal harms; dozens of providers and advocates urged rejection, saying syringe services reduce overdoses and infections.
Sen. Keith Murphy opened testimony on Senate Bill 549 by showing photographs of syringes found in public spaces in Manchester and describing constituents’ safety concerns. Murphy said state and local funding that supports distribution of syringes and related paraphernalia should not be allowed and suggested redirecting those dollars toward treatment.
Officials from the Department of Health and Human Services told the committee the bill, as drafted, contains apparent legal and technical conflicts with existing statutes and regulations that already authorize certain syringe-service activities. Jenny O’Higgins, DHHS legislative liaison for behavioral health, said lines in the draft both carve out and restrict funding in ways that would be confusing to implement and could unintentionally block funding streams…
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