(a)As used in this section:
(1)“Harm reduction center” means a medical facility where a person with a substance use disorder may (A) receive substance use disorder and other mental health counseling, (B) use a test strip to test a substance for traces of fentanyl or xylazine, or traces of any other substance recognized by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services as having a high risk of causing an overdose, (C) receive educational information regarding opioid antagonists, as defined in section 17a-714a , and the risks of contracting diseases from sharing hypodermic needles, (D) receive referrals to substance use disorder treatment services, and (E) receive access to basic support services, including, but not limited to, laundry machines, a bathroom, a shower and a place t
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(a) As used in this section: (1) “Harm reduction center” means a medical facility where a person with a substance use disorder may (A) receive substance use disorder and other mental health counseling, (B) use a test strip to test a substance for traces of fentanyl or xylazine, or traces of any other substance recognized by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services as having a high risk of causing an overdose, (C) receive educational information regarding opioid antagonists, as defined in section 17a-714a , and the risks of contracting diseases from sharing hypodermic needles, (D) receive referrals to substance use disorder treatment services, and (E) receive access to basic support services, including, but not limited to, laundry machines, a bathroom, a shower and a place to rest; and (2) “Test strip” means a product that a person may use to test any substance prior to injection, inhalation or ingestion of the substance to prevent accidental overdose by injection, inhalation or ingestion of the substance. (b) Not later than July 1, 2027, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall establish a pilot program to prevent drug overdoses through the establishment of harm reduction centers in three municipalities in the state selected by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, subject to the approval of the chief elected officials of each municipality selected by said commissioner. No harm reduction center established pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to regulation by the Department of Public Health until the termination of the pilot program. (c) Each harm reduction center established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall (1) employ persons, including, but not limited to, licensed health care providers with experience treating persons with substance use disorders to provide substance use disorder or other mental health counseling and monitor persons utilizing the harm reduction center for the purpose of providing medical treatment to any person who experiences symptoms of an overdose, in a number determined sufficient by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, (2) provide persons with test strips at the request of such persons, and (3) provide referrals for substance use disorder or other mental health counseling or other mental health or medical treatment services that may be appropriate for persons utilizing the harm reduction center. A licensed health care provider's participation in the pilot program shall not be grounds for disciplinary action by the Department of Public Health pursuant to section 19a-17 or by any board or commission listed in subsection (b) of section 19a-14 . (d) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services may request a disbursement of funds from the Opioid Settlement Fund established pursuant to section 17a-674c , in whole or in part, for the establishment and administration of the pilot program.