West Virginia Code 16-64-2 – Application for license to offer a syringe services program
(a) All new and existing syringe services programs shall obtain a license from the Office for Health Facility Licensure and Certification.
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 16-64-2
- Administrator: means a person having the authority and responsibility for operation of the syringe services program and serves as the contact for communication with the Director of the Harm Reduction Program. See West Virginia Code 16-64-1
- Applicant: means the entity applying for a license under this article. See West Virginia Code 16-64-1
- Director: means the Director of the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification. See West Virginia Code 16-64-1
- Harm reduction program: means a program that provides services intended to lessen the adverse consequences of drug use and protect public health and safety, by providing direct access to or a referral to: Syringe services program. See West Virginia Code 16-64-1
- License: means the document issued by the office authorizing the syringe services program to operate. See West Virginia Code 16-64-1
- Location: means a site within the service area of a local health department. See West Virginia Code 16-64-1
- Staff: means a person who provides syringe services or harm reduction services on behalf of a program. See West Virginia Code 16-64-1
- Syringe: means both the needle and syringe used to inject fluids into the body. See West Virginia Code 16-64-1
- Syringe services program: means a community-based program that provides access to sterile syringes, facilitates safe disposal of used syringes, and is part of a harm reduction program. See West Virginia Code 16-64-1
(b) To be eligible for a license, a syringe services program shall:
(1) Submit an application on a form approved and provided by the office director;
(2) Provide the name of the program;
(3) Provide a description of the harm reduction program it is associated with and the harm reduction services provided in accordance with § 16-2-3 of this code;
(4) Provide the contact information of the individual designated by the applicant as the administrator of the harm reduction program;
(5) Provide the hours of operation, location, and staffing. The description of hours of operation must include the specific days the syringe services program is open, opening and closing times, and frequency of syringe exchange services. The description of staffing must include number of staff, titles of positions, and descriptions of their functions;
(6) Provide a specific description of the applicant’s ability to refer to or facilitate entry into substance use treatment;
(7) Provide a specific description of the applicant’s ability to encourage usage of medical care and mental health services as well as social welfare and health promotion;
(8) Pay an application fee in amount not to exceed $500, to be determined by the director by legislative rule; and
(9) Provide a written statement of support from a majority of the members of the county commission and a majority of the members of a governing body of a municipality in which it is located or is proposing to locate.