Rule 511-2-9-.04 - Operating Requirements(1) Each Syringe Services Program shall: (a) Accept and dispose of hypodermic needles and syringes at no cost to Consumers and in compliance with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's bloodborne pathogen rule, 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030.(b) Furnish new hypodermic needles and syringes to Consumers at no cost and in quantities sufficient to minimize the likelihood of reuse. All new hypodermic needles and syringes shall be provided in sealed sterile packaging.(c) Provide Consumers with direct services or referrals and linkages to care for the following: substance abuse counseling, education, and treatment; training and provision of naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses; screening, prevention, treatment, and care services for HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis; and evidence based interventions to reduce negative consequences of drug related behaviors.(d) Comply fully with the Program's Policies and Procedures Manual and all applicable federal and state laws and rules.(e) Accept no remuneration from a Consumer.(f) Operate only from locations of which the Department has been notified and which must be at least 1,000 feet from any school and any child care learning center licensed by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.(g) Strictly limit the disclosure of protected health information, including HIV status, in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), O.C.G.A. § 24-12-21, and all other provisions of federal and state laws and rules.(h) Ensure that all Staff are vaccinated against or immune to the hepatitis B virus, unless the individual Staff member has declined the vaccine.(i) Ensure physical facilities are clean, sanitary, and appropriately maintained.(j) Be overseen by an Administrator who has been approved by the Department and has accepted the responsibility of ensuring that the Program operates in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 16-13-32 and these rules and regulations.(2) Each Program shall notify the Department via email or other writing within thirty days of any changes in: (a) The legal name of the Program or the name under which it does business;(b) The Program Site(s), including both fixed locations and mobile units and all contact information related thereto;(c) The Administrator of the Program, including all contact information related thereto;(d) The Program's operating hours; or(e) The Program's Policies and Procedures Manual.(3) Annually by December 1, each Program shall report the following data to the Department, in a format specified by the Department: (a) Aggregated Consumer demographic information, including age, race, ethnicity, and gender;(b) The number of new syringes distributed to each Consumer in each transaction;(c) The number of used syringes returned by each Consumer in each transaction, including the number of syringes disposed of and the disposal method;(d) The number of referrals and linkages to care made to HIV, viral hepatitis, STD, and/or tuberculosis testing, service, and treatment providers;(e) The number of Consumers who were tested for HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs, and tuberculosis through the Program;(f) The number of referrals made to substance abuse treatment providers;(g) The number of needlestick injuries and splash exposures at the Program, if any, including confirmation that injured individuals received appropriate care following an incident in accordance with the Program's protocol for management of needlestick injuries and splash exposures; and(h) Such other information as is deemed necessary by the Department.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 511-2-9-.04
O.C.G.A. § 16-13-32.
Original Rule entitled "Operating Requirements" adopted. F. July 27, 2020; eff. August 16, 2020.