5. a. (1) The Commissioner of Health shall report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, 164 (C. 52:14-19.1), the Legislature, no later than one year after the effective date of P.L.2006, c.99 (C. 26:5C-25 et al.) and biennially thereafter, on the status of harm reduction services provided by entities authorized to provide those services pursuant to sections 3 and 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C. 26:5C-27 and C. 26:5C-28), and shall include in that report the data provided to the department by each entity authorized to provide harm reduction services pursuant to paragraph (11) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C. 26:5C-28).

(2) For the purpose of each biennial report pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the department shall:

(a) collaborate with local stakeholders, including healthcare providers, healthcare systems, social services providers, and law enforcement, to provide education and collect data on the value of providing harm reduction services in municipalities in which the services are provided; and

(b) determine the type of data to be reported and shared, which may include the number of consumers served, the number of syringes distributed, the number of referrals made to social support services and healthcare providers, overall crime statistics, and the incidence and locations of needle stick injuries.

b. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2016, c.36)

c. The department shall prepare a detailed analysis of harm reduction services provided pursuant to P.L.2006, c.99 (C. 26:5C-25 et al.), and report on the results of that analysis to the Governor, the Governor’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and Related Blood-Borne Pathogens, and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C. 52:14-19.1), the Legislature annually. The analysis shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) any increase or decrease in the spread of HIV, hepatitis C and other bloodborne pathogens that may be transmitted by the use of contaminated syringes and needles;

(2) the number of exchanged syringes and needles and an evaluation of the disposal of syringes and needles that are not returned by consumers;

(3) the number of consumers receiving harm reduction services and an assessment of their reasons for accessing those services;

(4) the number of consumers receiving harm reduction services who participated in substance use disorder treatment programs; and

(5) the number of consumers receiving harm reduction services who benefited from counseling and referrals to programs and entities that are relevant to their health, housing, social service, employment and other needs.

d. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2016, c.36)

L.2006, c.99, s.5; amended 2015, c.10, s.6; 2016, c.36, s.3; 2017, c.131, s.105; 2021, c.396, s.5.